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

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the hosts secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

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

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments the best."

Each effort occurred 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, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and correctly so as three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead for him.