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

He was called upon as a substitute to assist the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead within him.