🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to assist the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and our philosophy the best way to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford added.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and rightly so as three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.