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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon from the bench to help England complete an historic victory against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts happened within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.