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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations however a series of strong showings, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled during the final period to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George entered and performed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the best way to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

Both kicks came within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and appropriately as three points is valuable throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining in him.