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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 support England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England were beaten by two points.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are honored to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually reminding me, and appropriately because three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.