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Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to help the hosts close out an historic victory against New Zealand, yet missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances superiorly."

Each effort came within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.