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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the home side close out a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and correctly so as three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Having started the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining in him.