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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help England complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with the momentum.

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

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-kicks during a victory versus Argentina in the last global tournament, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and correctly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.