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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist England secure a famous win against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old fully validated the manager's confidence by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, building a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England entered the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations the best."

Each effort occurred within close succession as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers for Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually advising me, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

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