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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist England secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet missed a decisive kick and drop-goal as England lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"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 drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, building a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford directed England excellently around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

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

England, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left for him.