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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the home side complete an historic victory against New Zealand, yet missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

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

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.