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

He was called upon off the sidelines to help the hosts close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed during the final period to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts came within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions versus Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.