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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist England close out an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

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

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, building a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

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

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and rightly so as three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.