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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help England complete a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

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

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we recognized were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments most effectively."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest played in difficult conditions at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and correctly so because three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that significant amounts of career ahead for him.