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

He was called upon from the bench to help the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a first win against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we were in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.