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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the home side close out a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a decisive kick and drop-goal as England lost by a narrow margin.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

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

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Each effort happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so as three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his team superbly around the field all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining for him.