Outstanding George Ford Central to Overcoming the Kiwis

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

He was called upon from the bench to support the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick and drop-goal as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, notably George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England entered the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and rightly so as three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.