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

He was called upon as a substitute to assist the home side close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support England to a first win against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

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

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, 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, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

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