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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to help England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal as England fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to a first win against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized 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 defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and appropriately because three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining for him.