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Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help England secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a first win over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and rightly so as three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided England excellently throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.