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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the hosts secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a decisive kick and drop-goal as England fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a first win against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are honored to feature him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts happened within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.