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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon from the bench to support the home side secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, however missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

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

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

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

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining in him.