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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position as England's number ten versus New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing defensive hits against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and composure, and made some strong choices when things were not going to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His capacity to settle the team strategically and make important decisions represents an aspect he has really nailed.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's number one fly-half and he should start versus New Zealand this weekend.

I believe head coach the England coach views it that way as well, because Fin has demonstrated his capability in big Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his performance from the tour of Argentina.

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

The Wallabies lost in Italy last weekend, so we should not get overly excited about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin given how off the pace Australia performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous and presented a far tougher challenge.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent position in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player while beginning to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning score to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing players capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

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

McKenzie observes the match develop while substituted and thinks about how to create a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have improved significantly since his early professional days.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith to be that kind influential player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I don't think he is the answer at full-back, making it a role that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English defensive line, so it has to be watertight.

This role requiring to become a genuine asset, in defense while regarding of the counter-attack danger.

Currently, I believe Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

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

I want the ball in his hands frequently, though I think this should occur in the front line, especially during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make the correct decisions under pressure - his natural reactions represent traits you can really taught.

I remember when he got the ball at one stage within his own half and it looked like it could be on if they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition as we are leading points-wise, therefore he punted to pressure the opponents and turn pressure.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing titles and wins global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses composure during intensity to organise teammates around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I want to see him given the chance to show that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at club level week in consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half also stood up during challenging circumstances, where historically you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully delivered in the very highest-pressure games.

I think we have two fly-halves capable of performing the job, though Smith's defensive work combined with additional qualities, it makes him the more complete versatile performer.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, rather than an individual being a little more reserved.

One might make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the coaches choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the narrative against the All Blacks, when attention was simply on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick the right kick and execute for a potential 50-20 might relieve pressure off England.