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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

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

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a first win over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered in the second half to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

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

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts occurred within close succession as Ford who nailed three drop-kicks in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately as three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining in him.