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In November 2024, English number 10 Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to bring victory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

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

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, building a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into the game and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances superiorly."

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and appropriately since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed England excellently around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.