🔗 Share this article

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

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the home side secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed 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, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier In my view George came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks came within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so as three points is valuable during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining in him.