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Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

He was called upon off the sidelines to support the hosts complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

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

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments the best."

Each effort happened within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so since three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford directed England excellently across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left for him.