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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the home side secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten in a close contest.

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

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a first win over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Each effort came within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead within him.