🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the home side complete a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, particularly on the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

Each effort occurred within a two-minute span 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 international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

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

Ford marshalled England excellently throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.