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In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to assist the home side close out a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down 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 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford came on and played very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

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

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who executed three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford guided England excellently around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

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

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left in him.