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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to assist the home side secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a first win versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments the best."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-kicks in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.