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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the home side close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Each effort happened within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and appropriately as three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided England excellently across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

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

The English team, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left within him.