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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon from the bench to support the hosts complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase as he scored those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England entered the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to compete is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.