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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to help the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, however missed a decisive kick and drop-goal as England were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our plan and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest played in challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately as three points is valuable during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

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

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left for him.