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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the home side secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead 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 secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect in those moments comes when the board shows 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points is valuable at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.