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In November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, however missed a late penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to their initial victory versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three drop-goals during a victory versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather versus Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so because three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left within him.