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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the hosts close out an historic victory facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, 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 since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect 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 compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts came within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and correctly so because three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining within him.