🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the home side close out a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a first win over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations most effectively."

Each effort came within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently advising me, and rightly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn was presented by the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.