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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win against New Zealand, but instead missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to help the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we knew should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments most effectively."

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest conducted in challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and rightly so because three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining in him.