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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to support the home side close out a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried 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 have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.