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During November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, however missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Each effort happened within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and appropriately since three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left for him.