🔗 Share this article

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

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support England close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England lost by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby 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 - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.