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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, however missed a late penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the best way to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Each effort occurred within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed England excellently around the field all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.