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Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, but instead missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick while his team lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we were in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.