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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the hosts secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal as England lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled during the final period to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently around the field all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.