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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help the hosts complete a famous win against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed 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 and an even better person. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we understood were we to commence the second half well, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Each effort happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals during a victory facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina this month and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining for him.