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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the home side complete a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English 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 assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

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

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford guided England excellently around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.