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

He was called upon off the sidelines to support England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to help England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, notably George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

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

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks came within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently advising me, and rightly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

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 Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead within him.