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Back in November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the hosts complete an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to a first win against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, building a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

Each effort happened within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead within him.