Outstanding Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand
Ford earned the starting role to begin facing the Kiwis over Fin Smith and Marcus Smith.
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In November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.
The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help England close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short in a close contest.
After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.
He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.
The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to their initial victory versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.
The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.
This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.
"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.
"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].
"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.
"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."
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Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'
Back in 2024, Ford's misses from the tee came at a price as the team was defeated against the Kiwis - but it was a contrasting result in the recent game.
The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.
Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with renewed energy.
"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.
"We worked our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a good position.
"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.
"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."
The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his international experience.
Ford successfully executed two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.
"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford added.
"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important during any phase of play."
Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.
His signature tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.
After beginning the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.
However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.
The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.
Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.
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