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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts close out a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

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

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Each effort happened within close succession as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead for him.