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

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the hosts close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession 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 during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and correctly so as three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

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

Having started the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.