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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon from the bench to assist the home side secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to help England to a first win against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

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

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly in the stadium, building a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

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

The two attempts came within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers for Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually advising me, and rightly so since three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford guided England excellently around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.