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Back in November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts complete a famous win against New Zealand, but instead missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

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

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

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

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.