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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered without doubt the most impressive defensive display observed by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

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

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His ability to calm the team strategically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has really mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's number one fly-half and deserves to start versus New Zealand next week.

I think the manager the England coach views it that way too, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform in big Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford started last Saturday versus the Wallabies due to captaincy reasons, and part of that choice was to provide consistency while acknowledging his performance from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji represented a marked step up compared to the display against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been by a larger margin given how below par the Australians performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him while providing support, I believe Smith will find himself in a very strong position as a player.

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

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who registered the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, demonstrating the importance of having players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of presence might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the match develop while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith as that kind influential performer, including him in the backfield could be beneficial.

However, currently I don't think he represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a role that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick testing the English backfield, so it has remain impenetrable.

It is a position that needs transforming into a genuine asset, both defensively while regarding of the counter-attack threat.

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

I struggle to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I want the ball under his control frequently, though I think this should occur in the front line, especially in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously a lot of similarities between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make the correct choices under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really taught.

I recall when he got possession during one phase just inside his own half and it looked like it could be should they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition as we are leading points-wise, therefore he punted it to pin them back and turn the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking securing titles and wins World Cups.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity to organise the players nearby, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him given the chance to show that at the highest level next week, similar to George Ford do, particularly during club level repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, where historically one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully done so in the very highest-pressure games.

I think England possesses playmaking options who can do the role, though Smith's defensive work combined with additional qualities, it makes him the more complete versatile performer.

Tactical Setup

It also means there's no need to adjust the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is a little more reserved.

You could also present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

Numerous considerations occurring privately, but whichever way the coaches decide to go, it will give New Zealand problems.

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

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

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible territorial gains can take all the stress off England.