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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help the home side complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to secure another chance 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, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a first win against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when 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 convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

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

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

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

The two attempts came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead for him.