Outstanding George Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand

In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist the hosts complete an historic victory against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as England were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations most effectively."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and appropriately as three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford guided England excellently across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining in him.