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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to assist England close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, particularly on the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

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

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts came within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining for him.