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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help England complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, building a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and appropriately as three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.