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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the best defensive display observed by an English playmaker for quite some time.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles versus an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and control, while executing several crucial decisions when things were not going to plan during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His capacity to settle the squad tactically and make important decisions is something he has truly nailed.

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

I believe the manager the England coach sees it that way too, since Smith has proven his capability during important Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford began last Saturday against Australia for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his form from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's showing versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, therefore we must not get overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia were.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith is still only 23 - projecting forward two years, with Ford challenging him while providing backup, I believe Smith will find himself in a very strong place as a player.

The Harlequins star must also be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus the right opposition.

He's progressing as a player while beginning to find his feet, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive try to beat Scotland, and that shows the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of player might represent the deciding factor between winning the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the game unfold while substituted and thinks about how to create an impact when he comes on.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Positional Debate

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

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe he is the answer in the number fifteen position, making it a position remaining unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt testing England's backfield, so it has to be watertight.

It is a position requiring transforming into a genuine asset, in defense while regarding of the counter-attack danger.

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

I struggle to identify the benefit fielding him in that position.

I prefer the ball under his control frequently, but I believe that should be in the front line, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

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

Fin has the capacity to make the correct choices during tense moments - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

I recall when he got the ball during one phase within his territory appearing that opportunity existed should they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he calculated the team required to turn the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents and turn the screw.

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

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness under pressure directing the players nearby, and the understanding that he mustn't always need to be the first option.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show that at the highest level next week, similar to George Ford do, especially at club level repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up during challenging circumstances, where historically one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, though Smith's defence on top of everything else, establishes him as the more complete versatile player.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system while fielding someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, instead of an individual being somewhat passive.

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

There are so many factors occurring behind closed doors, however the coaches choose to proceed, this will present New Zealand problems.

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

This time, either playmaker selected will pressure the All Blacks significantly.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks while delivering for a potential 50-20 might relieve all the stress off the national team.