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

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist the hosts secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we were in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Each effort came within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and correctly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.