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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the home side complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly during the match, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments the best."

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and rightly so because three points is valuable throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.