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

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

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

After Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and what we believe the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we recognized should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments the best."

Both kicks occurred within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

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

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

England, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.