Outstanding Ford Pivotal to Defeating All Blacks

In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the hosts close out a famous win against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments the best."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so because three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining for him.