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In November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support England secure an historic victory against New Zealand, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, particularly on the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a first win against the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2012.

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

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during challenging weather at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

After beginning the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining in him.