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Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the home side complete a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick as England were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Each effort occurred within close succession as Ford who nailed three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and correctly so since three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.