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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help England complete an historic victory facing the Kiwis, however missed a late penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to a first win against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to help his side to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "During that phase where he hit those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points is valuable during any phase of the game."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left within him.