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

He was called upon off the sidelines to support England secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a first win against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

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

"One kick struck the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks came within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and appropriately as three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.