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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand this weekend.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the best defensive performance observed from an England playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach by consistently making defensive hits against a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of finesse and control, and made some strong choices during moments didn't proceed to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Command

His ability to calm the team strategically while making big calls represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's primary fly-half and deserves to start versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe head coach the England coach sees it that way too, because Fin has demonstrated his capability during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that choice was to provide consistency while acknowledging his performance from the tour to South America.

But England's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked step up from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been more comprehensive considering how below par Australia were.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous while offering a much more difficult test.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford challenging him while providing support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong position in his career.

Marcus Smith must also be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against the right opposition.

He is developing in his career while beginning to establish himself, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks brought on their impact player, who scored the decisive score defeating Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing players capable of creating a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor between winning a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match unfold while substituted and thinks about how he can make an impact when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have improved significantly from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be such type influential player, then having him among substitutes could be valuable.

However, currently I don't think Marcus is the answer at full-back, making it a role remaining up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing the English backfield, therefore it must remain watertight.

This role requiring to become a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I don't think Smith functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I prefer the ball in his hands frequently, though I think that should be in the front line, particularly during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously a lot of parallels between 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 remember when he got possession during one phase within his own half appearing like it could be should they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he thought they needed reversing the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents applying pressure.

This represents the type of playmaking securing championships while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness during intensity to organise teammates nearby, and the understanding that he doesn't always need as primary option.

I want to see him receiving the opportunity demonstrating this at elite standards soon, similar to the veteran do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled during challenging situations, previously one might suggest occasions existed where he didn't fully done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

I think we have two fly-halves who can do the role, though Smith's defence on top of additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded versatile performer.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to modify the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player in the fly-half position, rather than someone who is a little more 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 management decide to go, it will give New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the narrative facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half they choose can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Smith's capacity selecting optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 might relieve all the stress away from the national team.