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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the home side secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as England fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while 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 the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to their initial victory over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and correctly so because three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.