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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help England close out a memorable triumph against New Zealand, however was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

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

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match played in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining in him.