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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while 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 manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, building a 12-point lead with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest played in difficult conditions at Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and correctly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead for him.