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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to help the hosts secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, particularly on the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "That period where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks came within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and correctly so since three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford guided England excellently throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.