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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star delivered without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach by consistently making defensive hits against a physical Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated a perfect blend of finesse and control, while executing some strong decisions when things didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Command

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

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's primary fly-half and he should start versus the All Blacks next week.

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

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his performance during the visit to South America.

But England's performance versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies lost in Italy last weekend, so we should not get too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia performed.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous and presented a far tougher challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only 23 - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player and is starting to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning try to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of having players who can make a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of player can be the difference between winning the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the match develop from the bench while considering regarding ways to create an impact when he comes on.

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

Positional Debate

Should we develop Smith as such type influential performer, then having him in the backfield could be beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I believe Marcus is the answer at full-back, so that is a role that is still up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing England's backfield, so it has to be impenetrable.

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

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

I struggle to see the advantage fielding him there.

I want the ball under his control as much as possible, but I believe this should occur among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous similarities between Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the ability to make right decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions are not something you can really taught.

I remember when he got the ball at one stage just inside his territory appearing like it could be on if they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking securing titles and wins World Cups.

All-round Ability

He also has composure during intensity to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first option.

I want to see him given the chance demonstrating that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen the veteran do, particularly during domestic matches week in consistently.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half also stood up during challenging circumstances, previously one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defensive work on top of additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded versatile performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to modify the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker position, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

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

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, when attention concentrated solely on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half they choose will pressure New Zealand significantly.

Smith's capacity selecting the right kick and execute for a potential territorial gains might relieve pressure away from the national team.