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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help England secure a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to a first win over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts 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 strategy and our convictions the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks came within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and rightly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

England, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining for him.