Phenomenal George Ford Central to Beating New Zealand

During November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the home side close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a first win over New Zealand at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a win against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and correctly so because three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left within him.