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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to help the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick as England were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

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

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into it and we knew if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Each effort came within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and appropriately because three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left for him.