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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help England secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, racing into 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 ensured England returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford said.

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

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead for him.