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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to assist England secure a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

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

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, building a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

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

"We worked our way back into it and we knew should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

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

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead in him.