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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 against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the most impressive defensive display observed by an English playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach by consistently making his tackles versus an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, and made several crucial choices during moments didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His capacity to calm the team tactically while making important decisions is something he has really mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's number one playmaker and he should start versus New Zealand this weekend.

I think the manager the England coach views it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform during important international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, and part of that decision was to provide consistency and reward his performance from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement compared to the display against Australia.

The Wallabies lost in Italy on Saturday, therefore we must not get overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin given how below par Australia were.

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

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering support, I think Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as a possibility at the right time and against the right opposition.

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

Substitute Influence

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning score to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of having players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor between winning the global tournament from failure.

McKenzie observes the match develop while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved significantly from his initial professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith to be that kind of impactful performer, then having him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

However, at the moment 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 to challenge the English backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

This role that needs to become a genuine asset, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

Right now, I don't think Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to see the benefit of playing him in that position.

I want possession in his hands as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

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

Smith possesses the capacity executing right choices under pressure - his instincts represent traits you can really coach.

I remember as he received the ball at one stage within his own half appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required reversing Fiji round as we are leading points-wise, therefore he punted it to pin them back applying the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking securing titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses composure during intensity to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he mustn't constantly serve to be the first receiver.

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

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, previously you could argue 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 defensive work on top of everything else, establishes him as the more complete versatile performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, instead of an individual being a little more passive.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting with Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many factors that go on privately, but whichever way the coaches decide to go, this will present the opponents difficulties.

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

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

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 might relieve all the stress away from England.