🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to support England complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we were in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and appropriately as three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

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

Having started England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away before the World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left for him.