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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to assist England complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist England to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, notably George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

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

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining for him.