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

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help the hosts complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as England fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

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

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are fortunate to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and rightly so as three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win over Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

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

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining in him.