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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support England complete an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

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

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players within our side, notably George," the manager commented. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

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

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks happened within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and appropriately since three points is valuable throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.