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

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the most impressive defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles versus an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and control, while executing some strong 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 truly nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and deserves to start against New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager the England coach sees it that way as well, because Fin has proven he can perform in big Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford started the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that decision was to provide consistency and reward his form from the tour to South America.

But England's performance against Fiji represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, therefore we must not get too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous and presented a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent place as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be considered as an option when appropriate and against the right opposition.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning score to beat the Scottish team, demonstrating the significance of having players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence can be the deciding factor between winning the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the game develop from the bench and thinks about how he can make a difference upon entering.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved substantially from his initial career.

Positional Debate

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

However, at the moment I don't think he represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a position remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English defensive line, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

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

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

I find it difficult to see the benefit of playing him there.

I prefer the ball under his control frequently, though I think that should be among starters, particularly in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously numerous similarities between Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing right choices during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits that can be coach.

I recall as he received possession during one phase within his territory appearing like it could be should they spread play.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure them back applying the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play that wins titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

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

I hope to witness him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, just as we have seen George Ford do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled during challenging situations, previously you could argue there have been times he has not quite done so during extremely tense matches.

I think we have two fly-halves capable of performing the role, though Smith's defence combined with everything else, it makes him the better-rounded versatile performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to adjust your defensive system while fielding someone aggressive in the fly-half position, instead of someone who is somewhat reserved.

You could also present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many factors occurring behind closed doors, but whichever way the management choose to proceed, this will present New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the narrative facing New Zealand, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the right player.

This time, either playmaker they choose can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take pressure away from the national team.