England’s two-point defeat by New Zealand on Saturday was not completely George Ford’s fault after his essential missed kicks, says fellow fly-half Marcus Smith.
Smith, 25, scored 17 factors and arrange England’s solely strive earlier than being changed within the remaining quarter by 97-cap Ford, who missed a possible match-winning penalty and last-gasp drop-goal.
On the time of Smith’s departure, England had an eight-point benefit.
However a strive by wing Mark Tele’a, who shrugged off Ford’s tried deal with, and 5 factors from alternative Damian McKenzie put the All Blacks forward with three minutes left at Allianz Stadium.
Ford was handed alternatives to swing the match again England’s manner however couldn’t discover the scientific kicks required as New Zealand clung on for a 24-22 victory.
“Typically that is the lifetime of a kicker, we have all skilled that. It is half and parcel of the job,” mentioned Smith, who struggled off the tee within the first Test defeat by New Zealand in July.
“I’ve realized a lot off George. He is an unbelievable kicker, each off the tee and out of hand. It was a kind of days.
“It is nothing to do with him why we did not win the sport. It is a staff effort. Each kicker on this planet has skilled that.”
Following McKenzie’s good touchline conversion from Tele’a’s strive, Anton Lienert-Brown mistimed a deal with to present Steve Borthwick’s residence aspect an opportunity to reclaim the lead.
Ford’s penalty struck the publish and was dropped by New Zealand, giving England an surprising second probability to grab the sport, however Ford was unable to transform the drop-goal with the clock within the purple.
In March, Smith landed a final-play drop-goal from a barely nearer spot to defeat Grand Slam-chasing Ireland.
“As kickers we all the time practise the drop-goal, nevertheless it’s very completely different once you’re on the market in entrance of 80,000 individuals and the All Blacks shouting ‘Drop-goal! Drop-goal!’,” Smith added.
“It is a particularly robust kick. Fordy is a grasp of that drop-goal kick. We undergo that situation week-in, week-out.
“We practise it as kickers each single day, however generally it would not go for you. We’re all human and other people miss.”
