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

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered in the second half to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments the best."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently advising me, and appropriately because three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established with two years remaining before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining in him.