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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the home side secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

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

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly 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 three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts came within close succession as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and correctly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left within him.