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

He was called upon off the sidelines to help England close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.