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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support England close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to a first win over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead 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 renewed energy.

"The challenging thing at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points is valuable during any phase of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.