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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon from the bench to help the home side complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

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

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals with Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and rightly so as three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.