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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support England secure a famous win against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal as his side were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, 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 senior players within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points are crucial at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.