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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help the hosts close out a famous win against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as England lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, 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 yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

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

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

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts occurred within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually advising me, and appropriately because three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled his team superbly around the field all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead within him.