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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the home side secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, however missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

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

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into contention and we recognized should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and appropriately as three points is valuable during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.