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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to assist the home side complete a famous win facing the Kiwis, however failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as England were beaten by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford came on and played very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts happened within close succession as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.