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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the hosts complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance 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 successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the best way to compete is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

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

Each effort occurred within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and rightly so because three points are crucial at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early 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 three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining for him.