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Back in November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the hosts complete a famous win facing the Kiwis, however missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple strong showings, especially during the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we knew if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts came within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left in him.