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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help the hosts complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George came on and played very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, building a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

Each effort came within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.