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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help the hosts complete a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, 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 of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to support the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

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

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest played in difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

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

Following his start in England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.