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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the hosts secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

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 repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford guided England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.