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In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the hosts complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

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

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, building a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and correctly so since three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead for him.