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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated why he deserves the starting position for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the most impressive defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

His courageous approach by consistently making defensive hits against an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

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

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Command

His capacity to settle the squad tactically and make big calls represents an aspect he has really mastered.

In my opinion, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and he should begin against the All Blacks this weekend.

I think head coach the England coach sees it similarly as well, since Smith has proven he can perform in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half began the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy reasons, and part of that decision was to provide consistency and reward his performance during the visit of Argentina.

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

Australia lost on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get too carried away about that victory, that could have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace Australia performed.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly threatening and presented a far tougher test.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker remains just 23 - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him while providing support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent position in his career.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as an option when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

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

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on their impact player, who registered the decisive try to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of having players capable of creating a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the deciding factor between winning a World Cup from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the match develop from the bench while considering about how he can make a difference upon entering.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved significantly since his early professional days.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Marcus to be such type of impactful performer, including him among substitutes could be beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe Marcus represents the solution at full-back, making it a position remaining unclaimed.

The All Blacks will kick testing the English backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, in defense and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Right now, I don't think Smith is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I want possession under his control frequently, though I think this should occur among starters, especially in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Fin has the capacity executing right decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

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 split-seconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure them back and turn pressure.

This represents the type of playmaking that wins titles and wins global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players nearby, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first option.

I hope to witness him receiving the opportunity demonstrating that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen George Ford do, especially at club level week in and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, where historically you could argue there have been times he has not quite delivered during extremely tense matches.

I believe England possesses two fly-halves who can do the role, but with Fin's defence combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile player.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, rather than an individual being somewhat passive.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

There are so many considerations that go on behind closed doors, however the coaches choose to proceed, this will present New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus was simply on selecting the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks significantly.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering for a potential territorial gains might relieve pressure off England.