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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist England to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England entered the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who nailed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win against Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.