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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist England close out an historic victory against New Zealand, yet missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist England to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

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

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into 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 three-pointers ensured England entered the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments the best."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

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

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining for him.