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Back in November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

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

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and appropriately because three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to discover if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away before the World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead for him.