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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick and drop-goal as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments most effectively."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and rightly so since three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining within him.