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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to assist the home side secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help England to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier In my view George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, building a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts came within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so because three points are crucial at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.