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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced arguably the most impressive defensive performance observed by an English fly-half in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing defensive hits versus an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and control, while executing several crucial decisions during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His ability to settle the squad strategically while making big calls is something he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's number one fly-half and he should begin against the All Blacks next week.

I think head coach the England coach views it similarly as well, since Smith has proven he can perform in big Test matches.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half began the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy reasons, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his form from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's showing against Fiji represented a marked improvement compared to the display against Australia.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should not get overly excited with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how below par the Australians performed.

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

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be regarded as a possibility when appropriate and against the right opposition.

He is developing as a player while beginning to establish himself, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive score to beat Scotland, and that shows the significance of having players who can make genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute observes the match develop from the bench and thinks about how he can make a difference when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have enhanced substantially since his early professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Marcus as such type of impactful performer, including him among substitutes could be beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I believe Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a role remaining unclaimed.

The All Blacks will kick to challenge England's backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

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

Currently, I believe Smith is a full-back at the highest level.

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

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be in the front line, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist a lot of parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability to make right choices during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits that can be taught.

I remember as he received the ball at one stage within his own half appearing that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

But in those milliseconds he calculated they needed to turn the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying the screw.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing championships and wins global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure under pressure directing teammates around him, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first option.

I hope to witness him given the chance to show that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, particularly during domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult situations, previously you could argue there have been times he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I think we have playmaking options who can do the role, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, it makes him the better-rounded all-round player.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates there's no need to modify your defensive system while fielding an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

Numerous considerations occurring behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches decide to go, it will give the opponents difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the narrative facing New Zealand, when attention concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

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