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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick while his team lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to a first win against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations most effectively."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and correctly so as three points is valuable at any stage of competition."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.