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Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the home side secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players 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 facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Each effort occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

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