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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to assist England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so as three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

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