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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot as England's number ten versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen by an English playmaker for quite some time.

His courageous approach by consistently making his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His game management proved exceptional - he showed an excellent balance of skill and control, while executing some strong choices when things didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His ability to settle the squad tactically and make important decisions represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and deserves to begin against New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick views it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability in big Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, and part of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his form during the visit to South America.

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

The Wallabies lost on Italian soil last weekend, therefore we must not get too carried away about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin given how below par the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, were much more threatening and presented a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - looking ahead two years, with Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I think Fin will be in a very strong position in his career.

The Harlequins star must also be regarded as an option when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He's progressing in his career and is starting to establish himself, though he needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who registered the decisive score to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence can be the difference separating victory a World Cup from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the game develop from the bench and thinks regarding ways to create a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have improved significantly from his initial career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith to be such type of impactful performer, including him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe he represents the solution in the number fifteen position, making it a position that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English defensive line, so it has to be watertight.

This role requiring to become a real strength, both defensively and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I believe Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to identify the benefit of playing him in that position.

I want the ball under his control frequently, though I think this should occur among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

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

Smith possesses the capacity executing the correct choices under pressure - his instincts represent traits that can be taught.

I recall as he received possession during one phase within his own half and it looked that opportunity existed should they spread play.

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

That's the sort of playmaking securing titles and wins global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses composure under pressure directing teammates around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary option.

I want to see him receiving the chance to show this at elite standards soon, similar to the veteran accomplish, especially at domestic matches repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half also stood up in difficult situations, where historically you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense matches.

I think we have playmaking options capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete versatile performer.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates there's no need to modify your defensive system while fielding an assertive player 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 entering from substitution.

Numerous factors that go on behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the right player.

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

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 might relieve pressure off England.