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

He was called upon from the bench to help the home side secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal as England lost in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts occurred within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left in him.