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In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the home side secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a late penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into the game and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts came within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining in him.