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In November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist England secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

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

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and appropriately as three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.