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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist England complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by a narrow margin.

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

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Each effort came within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals with Sale in a Prem game played in challenging weather versus Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and correctly so because three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead within him.