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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a late penalty along with a drop-kick as England lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly during the match, building a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Each effort occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

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