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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the hosts secure a famous win against New Zealand, yet missed a late penalty and drop-goal as his side lost in a close contest.

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 played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer 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 veteran player fully validated the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations the best."

Each effort came within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.