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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to assist the home side close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments most effectively."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually reminding me, and appropriately since three points is valuable during any phase of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.