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In November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help the home side secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help England to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England returned to the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford guided England excellently throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

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

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.