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During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the home side close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old fully validated the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 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 reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement against Fiji the following week.

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

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.