Outstanding Ford Crucial to Beating All Blacks
George Ford was selected to open facing the Kiwis over the Smith alternatives.
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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.
The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as his side fell short in a close contest.
In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.
He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.
The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.
The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.
This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.
"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.
"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].
"A kick hit the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.
"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him within our roster."
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Drop-goals 'always in the plan'
During 2024, Ford's misses from the tee proved costly as the team was defeated to New Zealand - but it was a contrasting result in the recent game.
The All Blacks started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.
Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England entered the locker room with renewed energy.
"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.
"We fought our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.
"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.
"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations superiorly."
The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.
Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.
"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford continued.
"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of play."
Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.
His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.
Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.
Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.
The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.
Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.
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- National Team
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