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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to assist the home side close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to get another shot at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to assist England to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are honored to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments comes when the board shows 12-0, we can stick to our guns and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

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

The two attempts happened within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature tactical bomb further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back 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 play remaining within him.