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Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help England close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal with those moments the best."

Each effort came within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and appropriately because three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.