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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the home side close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 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 - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game conducted in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and rightly so since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.