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

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

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of skill and control, while executing some strong choices when things were not going as expected in the first half.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Command

His ability to calm the squad tactically while making important decisions is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's primary fly-half and deserves to begin versus New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach the England coach views it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform in big Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday against Australia for leadership considerations, and part of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his form from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, 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 performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly threatening while offering a much more difficult test.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, with Ford pushing him but also offering support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent position as a player.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as an option when appropriate and against the right opposition.

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

Substitute Influence

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive try defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of possessing individuals capable of creating a real impact from the bench.

That kind of presence can be the difference separating victory a World Cup or not.

McKenzie observes the game develop while substituted while considering about how to create an impact when he comes on.

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

Role Discussion

Should we develop Marcus to be that kind influential performer, including him in the backfield could be valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think he is the answer at full-back, so that is a position remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick testing the English defensive line, so it has remain impenetrable.

It is a position requiring to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I don't think Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to identify the advantage fielding him in that position.

I prefer possession under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, particularly in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing right choices under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really coach.

I recall when he got possession during one phase just inside his territory appearing like it could be on if they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he calculated they needed to turn the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking that wins titles while claiming global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity to organise teammates around him, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him given the chance to show this at elite standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled during challenging circumstances, where historically you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense matches.

I believe England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defensive work combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to adjust your defensive system when you have someone aggressive in the fly-half position, instead of someone who is somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

Numerous factors occurring privately, however the coaches choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus was simply on selecting the right player.

This time, whichever fly-half selected can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure away from the national team.