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

He was called upon as a substitute to support the hosts secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, however was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who can deal with those moments the best."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately as three points are crucial at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away before the World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining for him.