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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist the home side complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success 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 warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Each effort happened within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left in him.