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Back in November 2024, England fly-half Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist the hosts secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as England were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.