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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, however was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier In my view George entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we recognized were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

Each effort came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.