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Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the home side close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a late penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood if we started the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we were in a good position.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest played in challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead in him.