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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand this weekend.

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

His courageous approach through regularly completing defensive hits against a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and control, and made some strong choices when things were not going to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His ability to settle the squad strategically and make big calls represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and deserves to begin against the All Blacks this weekend.

I think the manager Steve Borthwick sees it similarly as well, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform in big Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour of Argentina.

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

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy on Saturday, so we should not get overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin given how below par the Australians were.

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

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith is still only 23 - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him while providing backup, I think Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

The Harlequins star must also be regarded as an option at the right time and against suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career while beginning to establish himself, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the decisive try defeating Scotland, demonstrating the importance of having individuals capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

That kind of player can be the difference between winning the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold from the bench and thinks about how to create an impact when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved significantly since his early professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith as such type influential player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution at full-back, making it a role remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand are likely to punt to challenge England's backfield, so it has to be watertight.

It is a position that needs to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms offensive transitions threat.

Right now, I believe Marcus functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I prefer possession in his hands frequently, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

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

Fin has the ability to make right choices under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really coach.

I recall when he got possession at one stage just inside his own half and it looked that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he calculated they needed to turn the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking securing championships while claiming global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure during intensity to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he doesn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him given the chance to show this at elite level next week, similar to George Ford do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed he has not quite delivered in the very highest-pressure games.

I think England possesses playmaking options who can do the role, though Smith's defensive work on top of additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round player.

Tactical Setup

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure while fielding someone aggressive in the fly-half channel, instead of an individual being a little more passive.

You could also present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

There are so many factors occurring privately, however the management decide to go, this will present New Zealand difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus was simply on selecting the right player.

This time, either playmaker selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure away from England.