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In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year I thought George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, building a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the best way to compete is," Ford said.

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

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

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

His trademark high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.