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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot as England's fly-half versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive performance observed by an English playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and control, while executing several crucial choices when things didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His capacity to calm the squad strategically and make important decisions represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's number one fly-half and deserves to start versus New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick views it similarly as well, because Fin has proven his capability in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his form from the tour to South America.

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

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, therefore we must avoid becoming too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace the Australians performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous and presented a far tougher test.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I think Fin will be in a very strong place in his career.

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

He's progressing in his career while beginning to establish himself, but he also requires liberty to show his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who registered the decisive score defeating Scotland, demonstrating the significance of possessing players who can make genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of presence can be the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

McKenzie observes the game develop while substituted and thinks about how he can make a difference when he comes on.

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

Positional Debate

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

Nonetheless, currently I believe he represents the solution at full-back, so that is a role remaining unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt testing England's defensive line, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

This role requiring transforming into a genuine asset, in defense and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Right now, I believe Marcus is a full-back at the highest level.

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

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 a lot of similarities between Ford with Smith.

Fin has the capacity to make right decisions under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

I remember when he got the ball during one phase just inside his own half appearing that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round as we are leading points-wise, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents and turn the screw.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing titles while claiming World Cups.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure directing teammates around him, while recognizing that he mustn't constantly serve as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him given the chance to show that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up during challenging situations, previously one might suggest there have been times he has not quite done so during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defence combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round player.

Tactical Setup

It also means there's no need to modify your defensive system when you have an assertive player occupying the playmaker position, rather than an individual being a little more passive.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many factors occurring privately, however the management choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the narrative against the All Blacks, where the focus was simply on picking the right player.

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

Fin's ability selecting the right kick and execute for a potential 50-20 can take all the stress away from England.