Exceptional George Ford Crucial to Beating the Kiwis
George Ford was selected to start facing the Kiwis instead of Fin Smith and Marcus Smith.
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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.
The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the hosts close out an historic victory against New Zealand, but instead missed a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost in a close contest.
In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.
He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.
The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.
The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.
It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.
"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.
"Last year In my view George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].
"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.
"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."
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Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'
Back in 2024, Ford's misses with the boot were expensive as the team was defeated to New Zealand - but it was a contrasting result in the recent game.
The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.
Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.
"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.
"We got ourselves back into it and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.
"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.
"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments most effectively."
Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.
Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.
"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.
"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points are crucial during any phase of play."
Ford guided England excellently around the field the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.
His signature tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.
Following his start in England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.
However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.
The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back 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.
Associated subjects
- English Rugby
- Rugby Union
