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

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support England close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments most effectively."

The two attempts happened within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually reminding me, and correctly so since three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead for him.