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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the starting position for the national team's number ten versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith delivered arguably the most impressive defensive display observed by an English playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His game management proved exceptional - he showed a perfect blend of skill and composure, while executing some strong choices when things didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

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

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's number one fly-half and deserves to begin versus New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick views it similarly as well, since Smith has proven his capability during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his form during the visit to South America.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get too carried away about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin given how below par Australia performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - projecting forward two years, with Ford challenging him while providing support, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent position in his career.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as an option when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player while beginning to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to show his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who registered the decisive score to beat Scotland, and that shows the significance of having players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of player can be the difference between winning a World Cup from failure.

McKenzie observes the game develop from the bench and thinks about how to create a difference upon entering.

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

Role Discussion

Should we develop Marcus as such type influential performer, including him in the backfield might prove valuable.

However, at the moment I believe Marcus represents the solution at full-back, making it a role remaining up for grabs.

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

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

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

I find it difficult to identify the benefit of playing him in that position.

I prefer possession in his hands frequently, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability to make right decisions under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really taught.

I recall as he received the ball during one phase just inside his territory appearing like it could be on if they spread play.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required to turn Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin them back applying the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking that wins titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has composure during intensity to organise teammates around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need to be the first option.

I hope to witness him given the chance to show that at the highest standards soon, similar to George Ford accomplish, especially at club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up during challenging situations, previously one might suggest there have been times he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I believe we have two fly-halves capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defensive work combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the more complete all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, instead of someone who is a little more reserved.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many factors occurring behind closed doors, however the management choose to proceed, it will give the opponents problems.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus concentrated solely on selecting the right player.

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

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure off the national team.