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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the hosts secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis started quickly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments most effectively."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

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

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.