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Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support England complete an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to their initial victory against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to support England to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left within him.