🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help England secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle with those moments most effectively."

The two attempts happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty came against the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left for him.