Phenomenal George Ford Central to Overcoming All Blacks

During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon from the bench to help the home side complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

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

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations most effectively."

Each effort occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.