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Back in November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, however was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a first win over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so as three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

England, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left within him.