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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the hosts secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side lost in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand at home since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and correctly so as three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford marshalled his team superbly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.