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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon off the sidelines to help England complete a famous win against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a late penalty and drop-goal as England lost by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

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

The national side, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left within him.