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

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the hosts complete a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist the hosts to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 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 narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we can stick to our strategy and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments most effectively."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually advising me, and rightly so as three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.