🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the hosts close out a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized if we started the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and correctly so because three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.