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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the home side secure a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal during those situations the best."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left within him.