Phenomenal George Ford Crucial to Beating the Kiwis

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the hosts secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, however failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a first win over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

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

Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead in him.