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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the home side secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year I thought George substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who can deal during those situations the best."

The two attempts happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that significant amounts of rugby left in him.