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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help the home side close out a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead for him.