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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to help the home side secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, however failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the hosts to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

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 once more performed during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are fortunate to have him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal with those moments the best."

The two attempts occurred within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately since three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.