🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help the home side close out an historic victory against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to a first win against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and correctly so as three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.