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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 number ten against the All Blacks this weekend.

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles versus a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and control, and made some strong choices when things didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His capacity to calm the team tactically and make important decisions represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's number one fly-half and he should start against New Zealand next week.

I think head coach the England coach sees it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability during important Test matches.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend against Australia for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his performance during the visit to South America.

But England's performance against Fiji represented a marked step up compared to the display against Australia.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming overly excited about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin given how off the pace Australia were.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening while offering a far tougher challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford pushing him while providing backup, I think Fin will be in a very strong position as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be regarded as a possibility when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player and is starting to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive score defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of having individuals who can make genuine influence from the bench.

That kind of presence might represent the difference between winning a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold from the bench and thinks regarding ways to create a difference upon entering.

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

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus as such type of impactful performer, then having him among substitutes could be valuable.

However, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution at full-back, so that is a position remaining up for grabs.

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

It is a position requiring transforming into a genuine asset, both defensively while regarding offensive transitions threat.

Right now, I don't think Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to see the advantage of playing him in that position.

I want possession in his hands frequently, though I think that should be in the front line, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous parallels between Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability executing the correct choices under pressure - his instincts represent traits that can be coach.

I remember as he received the ball during one phase within his own half appearing that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

But in those milliseconds he calculated they needed to turn the opposition since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted to pressure the opponents and turn pressure.

This represents the type of fly-half play that wins championships and wins global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players nearby, and the understanding that he doesn't always need as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him receiving the opportunity demonstrating that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, particularly during domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult situations, where historically you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully done so in the very highest-pressure games.

I believe England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defensive work on top of additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to adjust the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player in the fly-half channel, instead of someone who is somewhat reserved.

You could also present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith entering from the bench.

Numerous considerations that go on behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, this will present the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the narrative against the All Blacks, when attention concentrated solely on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks significantly.

Fin's ability selecting the right kick and execute for a potential 50-20 can take all the stress off England.