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Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to help the hosts secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a first win over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match played in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and correctly so because three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford guided England excellently around the field all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

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

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.