🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon from the bench to support the home side secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we knew should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away before the World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.