FORD JUST OFF TRACK

George misses twice late on as All Blacks manage to clinch a thriller

- ADAM HATHAWAY

SKIPPER Jamie George refused to chuck George Ford under the bus after his two misses condemned England to more near-miss heartbreak.

In a chaotic finish, and England trailing by two points, Ford saw a 45-metre penalty hit the post-only for his side to get a scrum near the New Zealand line.

It was prime drop territory in the last play of the game but Borthwick's men did not give Ford a decent shot at goal and when he hit the ball, off balance, it sailed wide.

England's 2003 heroes had been on the pitch at half-time, including their drop goal hero Jonny Wilkinson - how they could have done with Wilko here.

Close but no cigar, and third time unlucky for England, after two July defeats to the All Blacks down under, and it is wearing a bit thin for followers of the national side.

Ford had been sent on as replacement for Marcus Smith on 62 minutes, with England leading 22-14 up to shut out the game - but couldn't get it done.

George said: "He hasn't missed many in his career so we certainly can't blame him for that. We had spoken about being in that exact position, we walked through being in that exact position and we felt like we were in control of it.