Ford earned the starting role to open against New Zealand ahead of the Smith alternatives.
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During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.
Ford had been summoned from the bench to support England secure an historic victory facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.
After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for England.
He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.
The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist England to a first win over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.
The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.
It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.
"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.
"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].
"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.
"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are privileged to include him within our roster."
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Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'
In 2024, Ford's misses in kicking proved costly as the team was defeated to New Zealand - but it was a contrasting result on Saturday.
The Kiwis commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.
Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.
"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.
"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood if we started the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.
"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.
"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who manages best with those moments the best."
Both kicks came within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.
Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.
"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford stated further.
"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."
Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.
His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.
After beginning the English victory over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.
Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.
The national side, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.
Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.
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