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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist England complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase as he scored those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

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

"A kick hit the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our plan and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments the best."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and rightly so as three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.