Exceptional George Ford Pivotal to Defeating New Zealand

Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon from the bench to help the home side complete a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

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

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead within him.