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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon from the bench to support England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to support England to their initial victory over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

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

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments most effectively."

Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

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

After beginning the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining within him.