🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the home side close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points are crucial at any stage of the game."

Ford directed England excellently around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win against Australia in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.