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

He was called upon from the bench to help the hosts close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity 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 warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a first win against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase as he scored those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

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

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts occurred within close succession as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.