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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to help the home side complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, building a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and correctly so because three points is valuable during any phase of competition."

Ford directed England excellently around the field all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead in him.