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In November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

He was called upon off the sidelines to help the home side close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence by selecting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a first win over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as 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, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, building a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the optimal approach to perform is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest played in difficult conditions versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so because three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.