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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to assist the hosts secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a decisive kick and drop-goal as England were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.