🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help England secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks happened within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually advising me, and correctly so since three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.