🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help the home side complete a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized if we started the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Each effort came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided England excellently around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.