\n<\/p>\n
The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor.<\/p>\n
Following Ollie Lawrence’s powerful finish, Ford’s back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.<\/p>\n
“The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the best way to play the game is,” Ford said.<\/p>\n
“We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.<\/p>\n
“Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.<\/p>\n
“I think that’s what Test rugby is – who can deal with those moments the best.”<\/p>\n
Both kicks came within two minutes of each other as the fly-half, who nailed three drop-goals in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.<\/p>\n
Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions at Bath – it is a skill he is well-practised in.<\/p>\n
“It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan,” Ford added.<\/p>\n
“Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points is valuable at any stage of the game.”<\/p>\n
Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field all game, kicking smartly – both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors’ backfield.<\/p>\n
His signature ‘spiral bomb’ also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.<\/p>\n
Having started England’s win over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.<\/p>\n
But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.<\/p>\n
England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.<\/p>\n
Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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