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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the home side complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

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

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.