Phenomenal Ford Crucial to Overcoming the Kiwis

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, however 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, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I thought George came on and played very effectively [against New Zealand].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

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

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers with Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

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