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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot as England's number ten against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the most impressive defensive performance observed by an English playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles versus a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and composure, while executing several crucial choices when things were not going as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His ability to settle the team tactically and make important decisions is something he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's number one playmaker and deserves to begin versus New Zealand next week.

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

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

George Ford began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, and part of that decision was to provide continuity and reward his performance during the visit to South America.

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

Australia were defeated in Italy on Saturday, therefore we must not get too carried away with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace the Australians were.

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

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only 23 - looking ahead two years, with Ford challenging him while providing backup, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent position in his career.

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

He's progressing in his career while beginning to establish himself, though he needs the freedom to show his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the decisive score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of having players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game develop while substituted and thinks about how he can make a difference upon entering.

His decision-making and error rate have improved substantially from his initial professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith as that kind influential performer, then having him in the backfield could be valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I believe he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a role that is still up for grabs.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing England's backfield, therefore it must remain watertight.

It is a position requiring transforming into a genuine asset, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

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

I struggle to identify the advantage fielding him there.

I want the ball under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, especially during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Fin has the ability executing the correct choices under pressure - 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 and it looked that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought they needed reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents applying pressure.

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

Complete Package

He also has that calmness during intensity to organise teammates around him, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance demonstrating this at elite standards soon, similar to George Ford do, particularly during club level repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult situations, where historically one might suggest there have been times he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

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

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is a little more reserved.

You could also make a strong case favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off substitution.

Numerous considerations occurring privately, however the coaches decide to go, it will give New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

On this occasion, either playmaker selected will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks while delivering for a potential 50-20 might relieve all the stress away from the national team.