Phenomenal Ford Crucial to Defeating New Zealand
George Ford was selected to start against New Zealand ahead of Marcus Smith and Fin Smith.
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In November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.
Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win against New Zealand, however was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short by a narrow margin.
Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.
His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.
The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help England to a first win versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.
The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.
It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.
"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.
"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].
"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.
"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are honored to include him in our squad."
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Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'
In 2024, Ford's misses in kicking were expensive as the team was defeated to New Zealand - yet Saturday showed an alternate outcome during the match.
The All Blacks started quickly during the match, racing into a substantial early margin with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.
Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.
"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.
"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew if we started the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.
"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.
"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments the best."
Both kicks came within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.
Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.
"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.
"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of competition."
Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.
His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.
Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.
Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.
The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.
Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.
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