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Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to help England close out a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession 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 again delivered after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.