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

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the hosts complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, however was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts happened within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points are crucial at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.