🔗 Share this article

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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the hosts complete a famous win against New Zealand, yet missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

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

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

Each effort occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and correctly so as three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.