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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the hosts close out an historic victory against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a late penalty along with a drop-kick 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 achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew if we started the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned defending our goal line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals in a win against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and correctly so because three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature tactical bomb additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji the following week.

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

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.