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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making defensive hits versus a physical Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, and made some strong decisions when things were not going to plan during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to settle the squad tactically and make big calls is something he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and deserves to start against the All Blacks this weekend.

I think the manager the England coach sees it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, and part of that decision was to provide continuity while acknowledging his form during the visit of Argentina.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement 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 off the pace Australia performed.

Fiji, by contrast, were much more dangerous and presented a much more difficult test.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, with Ford pushing him but also offering backup, I think Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player while beginning to establish himself, though he requires liberty to show his distinctive attributes.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who scored the decisive try to beat Scotland, and that shows the significance of having players capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

That kind of presence might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the game develop while substituted while considering regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially since his early career.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith to be such type of impactful player, then having him among substitutes might prove valuable.

However, currently I believe Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, making it a role that is still up for grabs.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English defensive line, therefore it must 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 Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the benefit fielding him in that position.

I want possession under his control as much as possible, but I believe this should occur in the front line, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability executing right choices during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits you can really taught.

I recall when he got the ball during one phase just inside his own half appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

But in those milliseconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying pressure.

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

Complete Package

He also has that calmness during intensity to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first option.

I hope to witness him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, similar to George Ford do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, where historically one might suggest occasions existed where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses two fly-halves who can do the role, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, establishes him as the more complete all-round player.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to adjust your defensive system while fielding an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, instead of someone who is somewhat reserved.

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

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the management decide to go, it will give the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, when attention was simply on selecting the optimal individual.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity selecting optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 can take all the stress away from England.