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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist England close out a famous win against New Zealand, however missed a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost by two points.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

It helped England 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 again delivered after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players within our side, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis started quickly in the stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks happened within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and rightly so since three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.