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

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as England fell short by a narrow margin.

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

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, building a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew if we started the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations the best."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points is valuable during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead for him.