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

He was called upon from the bench to support the hosts complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as England lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to assist England to a first win against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright 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 privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and our convictions the best way to compete is," Ford said.

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

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points prove important at any stage of competition."

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

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.