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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten versus the All Blacks this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen from an England playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles versus a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of finesse and composure, while executing several crucial decisions during moments didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His ability to settle the team strategically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has really mastered.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and deserves to begin against New Zealand next week.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick sees it similarly too, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform during important Test matches.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that decision was to provide consistency and reward his performance during the visit of Argentina.

But England's performance against Fiji represented a marked step up compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, so we should avoid becoming too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin given how below par Australia were.

Fiji, on the other hand, were much more dangerous while offering a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong position in his career.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player while beginning to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who scored the decisive try defeating Scotland, and that shows the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

That kind of presence might represent the deciding factor between winning a World Cup or not.

McKenzie watches the match unfold from the bench while considering regarding ways he can make an impact when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have improved substantially since his early professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Smith as that kind of impactful player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

However, at the moment I don't think Marcus is the answer at full-back, making it a role that is still unclaimed.

The All Blacks will kick testing the English backfield, so it has remain watertight.

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I don't think Smith functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

I find it difficult to identify the benefit fielding him there.

I want possession under his control frequently, but I believe this should occur among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist numerous similarities between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing the correct decisions during tense moments - his instincts are not something you can really coach.

I recall when he got possession during one phase within his own half appearing that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he calculated they needed to turn Fiji round as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying pressure.

This represents the type of fly-half play that wins championships while claiming global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure under pressure to organise the players nearby, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve as primary option.

I want to see him receiving the opportunity demonstrating that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at club level repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult situations, previously one might suggest occasions existed he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

I think England possesses two fly-halves who can do the job, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, it makes him the better-rounded all-round player.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is somewhat reserved.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting with Smith entering from substitution.

Numerous factors occurring behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, it will give the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible 50-20 might relieve all the stress away from the national team.