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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist England complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to get another shot at delivering glory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a first win versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

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

The two attempts occurred within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

England, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.