🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon off the sidelines to help England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The pivotal moment 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 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our plan and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in a good position.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts came within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually reminding me, and appropriately because three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left for him.