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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown 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 best defensive display we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making defensive hits versus an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and composure, while executing some strong choices when things were not going to plan in the first half.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Leadership

His ability to settle the team strategically and make important decisions is something he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's primary fly-half and deserves to start against New Zealand next week.

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

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford started the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that decision was to provide consistency while acknowledging his performance from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's showing against Fiji represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia lost in Italy last weekend, therefore we must not get too carried away with that win, which should have been more comprehensive given how below par the Australians were.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him while providing support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent position as a player.

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

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive try defeating the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing players who can make a real impact as substitutes.

That kind of player might represent the difference separating victory the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold while substituted and thinks about how he can make a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced substantially from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be such type of impactful player, then having him in the backfield could be valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I believe Marcus represents the solution at full-back, making it a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt to challenge the English defensive line, so it has to be watertight.

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

Right now, I believe Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

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

I want the ball under his control frequently, though I think this should occur in the front line, particularly in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously a lot of similarities between Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing the correct decisions under pressure - his instincts represent traits you can really taught.

I remember when he got possession at one stage within his own half and it looked like it could be should they spread play.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin them back applying pressure.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing championships while claiming global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure 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 that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen George Ford do, particularly during club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford similarly excelled during challenging situations, previously you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense matches.

I believe we have two fly-halves capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defence combined with everything else, it makes him the better-rounded all-round player.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, rather than someone who is somewhat reserved.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith entering from the bench.

Numerous factors occurring behind closed doors, however the coaches decide to go, this will present New Zealand difficulties.

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

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

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure away from the national team.