🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the home side close out an historic victory against New Zealand, however failed to convert a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and rightly so because three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.