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

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen by an English fly-half for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making defensive hits versus a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and composure, and made several crucial choices during moments were not going to plan during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His ability to settle the team tactically while making big calls is something he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith is England's primary playmaker and deserves to start versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick views it that way as well, since Smith has proven his capability in big international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

George Ford began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour of Argentina.

But England's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked step up from the performance against Australia.

Australia lost in Italy last weekend, therefore we must not get too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin given how off the pace the Australians were.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening and presented a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford pushing him while providing support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent position as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as a possibility at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, though he requires liberty to show his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the decisive score defeating the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing players capable of creating a real impact as substitutes.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor between winning the global tournament from failure.

McKenzie observes the match unfold while substituted while considering about how he can make a difference upon entering.

His choices and error rate have improved significantly since his early career.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith as that kind influential performer, including him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a role remaining unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt to challenge the English backfield, therefore it must to be impenetrable.

It is a position requiring transforming into a genuine asset, both defensively and in terms offensive transitions threat.

Currently, I believe Marcus functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to see the advantage of playing him there.

I want the ball under his control frequently, though I think that should be in the front line, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing the correct decisions during tense moments - his instincts represent traits that can be taught.

I recall as he received the ball during one phase within his territory appearing that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

But in those milliseconds he thought they needed reversing Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying the screw.

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

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness under pressure directing teammates nearby, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve as primary option.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance demonstrating this at elite level next week, similar to the veteran accomplish, especially at club level repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense matches.

I think we have playmaking options capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defence on top of additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to adjust the defensive structure while fielding someone aggressive in the fly-half position, instead of an individual being a little more passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many factors occurring behind closed doors, but whichever way the management decide to go, this will present the opponents problems.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, when attention was simply on picking the right player.

This time, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Smith's capacity to pick the right kick and execute enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure off England.