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Back in November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help England close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood if we started the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle with those moments most effectively."

Both kicks happened within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead within him.