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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to help the hosts secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were absent for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Each effort occurred within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and correctly so as three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining within him.