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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to support England complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 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 decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players within our side, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

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

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager since he continually advising me, and appropriately because three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

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

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.