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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the home side close out a memorable triumph against New Zealand, however was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players within our side, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Each effort occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and rightly so because three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.