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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the home side secure a famous win against New Zealand, yet missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick as his side fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to a first win over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

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

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Each effort occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

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

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

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.