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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the hosts secure a famous win against New Zealand, yet missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick as England fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

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

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

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

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and rightly so since three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford guided England excellently around the field the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.