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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the home side secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players within our side, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts entered the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who nailed three drop-kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always advising me, and correctly so because three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

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

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford handed over the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.