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In November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old fully validated the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

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

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and appropriately since three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining within him.