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In November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist England close out an historic victory against New Zealand, however failed to convert a late penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a first win against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our plan and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining within him.