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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 support England close out a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

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

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our plan and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

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

The two attempts happened within close succession as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and appropriately as three points is valuable at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.