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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help the home side complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments most effectively."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

England, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left within him.