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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal 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 the best."

Each effort occurred within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and correctly so since three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford guided England excellently throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining within him.