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In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the hosts secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to have him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.