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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly 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 England to their initial victory against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment as he scored those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford came on and played very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we are able to adhere to our guns and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood should we begin the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

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

Both kicks came within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match played in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so since three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.