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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, yet missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted 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 during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our plan and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and rightly so because three points is valuable during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left within him.