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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal as his side lost in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal with those moments the best."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and rightly so because three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

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