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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple strong showings, particularly on the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually advising me, and rightly so because three points are crucial during any phase of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.