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Back in November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the home side complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a late penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

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

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations most effectively."

Each effort occurred within close succession as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.