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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to help the home side complete a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as England fell short in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis started quickly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England entered the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts happened within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left in him.