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In November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to assist England secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as England lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

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

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.