From Heartbreak to Hero: Ford's Remarkable Turnaround
Twelve months after experiencing the agony of a missed drop goal against New Zealand, George Ford collected the garlands and glory following a masterful performance that guided England to a famous victory over the All Blacks at Twickenham. The fly-half's career has come full circle in spectacular fashion, banishing the woes of 2024 that were defined by a series of narrow defeats.
Establishing England as an International Powerhouse
This triumph represents Ford's first success on home soil against New Zealand, a remarkable statistic given his 11-and-a-half year international career spanning 104 caps. The victory marks England's tenth consecutive win, establishing Steve Borthwick's side as an emergent powerhouse in international rugby. Consider the contrast: last November, Ford's missed penalty and drop goal proved costly against the same opposition, leaving him seemingly on his way out of the team.
His decline appeared rapid. Just two weeks after that near miss, he was an unused replacement in defeat to South Africa. By the Six Nations, he was excluded from matchday squads entirely as Marcus Smith and Fin Smith received opportunities. The summer brought further disappointment when three English fly-halves travelled to Australia with the British and Irish Lions, while Ford, arguably the finest eligible player yet to earn Lions honours, remained at home.
The Resurgence of England's Strategic Mastermind
Ford's redemption began during England's concurrent trip to Argentina, where he led the side impressively and has seldom felt more central to the national setup since. Steve Borthwick praised his fly-half, stating: "George is a brilliant player, an outstanding leader and an even better person. I have been privileged to work with him for a period of time."
Borthwick specifically addressed last year's disappointment: "I know you like to talk about 12 months ago and the ball hitting a post but he came on 12 months ago and played really well as he always does for England. When he pulls on the England shirt, he is just such a consistent performer."
This November series has showcased Ford at his strategic best. Against Australia, with England's attack struggling on a damp day, he enacted a tactical shift to implement a successful kicking game. Against New Zealand, he was even better, controlling tempo and territory with precision.
The match featured several pivotal Ford moments where howls of frustration quickly turned to Twickenham roars. His second-half 50:22 kick initially drew criticism for ignoring outside options, but supporters soon recognised the space behind the defence that Ford had identified much earlier. His double drop into the pocket and subsequent crisp kicks proved crucial in keeping England competitive before halftime, reminiscent of how he steered England through adversity against Argentina in Marseille during the 2023 World Cup.
Borthwick explained Ford's decision-making regarding drop goals: "If you've got a skillset like George Ford has, with Test matches as tight as they are it's always a factor. Was it a special part of the plan? No. I trust the 10 to make decisions. I thought he made brilliant decisions and executed perfectly."
Those who have worked with Ford consistently highlight his exceptional rugby intelligence and selflessness, qualities that Borthwick believes make him an ideal team man. The coach has pointed to Ford's conduct during the Six Nations, when he was out of favour, as an example for the entire squad to follow.
Throughout his career, Ford has often adjusted to different roles, frequently playing second fiddle to Owen Farrell without complaint. Even after his excellent performance in England's previous win over the All Blacks, former coach Eddie Jones later wrote that he considered dropping Ford for the 2019 World Cup final.
Now, at 32 years old, Ford is playing some of the best rugby of his career, making it difficult to imagine Borthwick easily disposing of him. While many assume Fin Smith will inherit the number 10 shirt in two years, England's playmaker of the past and present may yet prove to be their fly-half of the future too.
