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In November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the home side close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, however was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for England.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive three-pointers meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew if we started the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

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

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as Ford who executed three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead within him.