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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help England secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

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

The two attempts came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.