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

The Northampton Saints star produced arguably the most impressive defensive display observed from an England fly-half in several years.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles versus an aggressive Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of skill and composure, while executing some strong decisions when things didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His capacity to settle the team tactically and make big calls is something he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's number one fly-half and he should start versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe head coach the England coach sees it that way as well, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform in big international games.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

George Ford began the previous weekend against Australia for leadership reasons, and part of that decision aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his form during the visit to South America.

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

Australia lost 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 Australia were.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening while offering a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering backup, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be regarded as an option at the right time and versus the right opposition.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to show his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the decisive score defeating the Scottish team, demonstrating the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor between winning the global tournament from failure.

McKenzie observes the game unfold from the bench while considering about how he can make an impact when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially from his initial career.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus as that kind influential performer, then having him in the backfield could be beneficial.

However, at the moment I don't think he represents the solution in the number fifteen position, making it a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge England's backfield, therefore it must remain watertight.

It is a position that needs transforming into a genuine asset, both defensively and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I don't think Smith is a full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I want possession under his control frequently, but I believe that should be among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

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

Smith possesses the capacity executing right choices during tense moments - his instincts represent traits you can really taught.

I recall when he got the ball at one stage within his territory appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

But in those milliseconds he calculated they needed to turn Fiji round since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents and turn the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking that wins titles while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity directing the players around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need to be the first option.

I want to see him given the opportunity demonstrating that at the highest level next week, similar to George Ford do, especially at club level repeatedly consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue there have been times he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

I believe England possesses playmaking options who can do the role, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, establishes him as the more complete versatile player.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have 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 make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on behind closed doors, however the management decide to go, this will present the opponents difficulties.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, when attention concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected will pressure New Zealand under real pressure.

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