England: George Ford opens up on costly missed kicks against All Blacks that left a ‘little bit of a scar’

George Ford after England lost to the All Blacks.
Playmaker George Ford reveals he has come to terms with his missed penalty that could have won the game against the All Blacks in the Autumn.
Ford came off the bench around the hour mark for Marcus Smith who had been excellent in the Test and the veteran failed to make the most of a penalty attempt and a last second drop goal effort with England ultimately falling 22-24 to the All Blacks.
More to come
It was part of an Autumn block of games that saw England lose three from four and Ford himself fell down the pecking order. The 98-cap Red Rose star, however, has not lost his motivation and believes his best rugby is still to come.
“My hunger and desire is the most it’s ever been,” he told BBC Sport.
“I just want to be as consistent as I can, and that’s what I will pride myself on, and I will keep pushing that and driving myself to be that.
“I still know I’ve got plenty to give at the top level, and I’ll try and keep putting myself in that position so hopefully I can play more games.
“I’m still feeling really good to hopefully have my best years ahead of me.”
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Reverting back to the missed kick, Ford opened up and admitted the moment did leave a scar but he is fine with the outcome as he put himself in a position to win the game for his country.
“I’m OK with it because I put myself in the position to try and kick it,” Ford reflected in an extended interview with the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“If you put yourself in that position enough times, you are probably going to fail a few times, which you never want to happen, of course you don’t.
“I suppose it leaves a little bit of a scar on you, but you have to accept you are not going to always kick it.
“I know it was a big moment, and we could have won the game with it, but throughout your career there are loads of ups and downs like that, which I have probably learnt to deal with a little bit more neutrally than I would have done when I was younger.”
Not the only one booed
The tough Autumn saw the booing of Ford while in an England shirt and heused Owen Farrel for an example about how difficult the fanbase can be to face.
“When you are representing your country and you’ve done it for a long time, you would expect the crowd to be fully behind you,” Ford added.
“This isn’t just me, it has happened recently in the past with people like Owen [Farrell]. It is a funny way to be [booing your own team].
“But if my team-mates know the value I bring, and the coaches know the value I bring, and my family know the value I bring, that’s all that matters to me.”
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