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Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the home side secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

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

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-goals resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we were in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and appropriately as three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead in him.