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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to support England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a late penalty and drop-goal while his team fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations the best."

Both kicks came within close succession as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph over Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead in him.