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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the home side secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks in their own stadium since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

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

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts occurred within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and correctly so because three points are crucial during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.