Outstanding Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand

In November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the home side close out a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, building a 12-point lead through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts came within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.