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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the hosts close out a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a first win against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

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

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew if we started the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks came within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest played in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.