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Back in November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the home side secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help England to a first win against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.