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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the home side secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, 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 during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.