🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support England secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own 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 superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and appropriately because three points are crucial during any phase of play."

Ford directed his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining within him.