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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot as England's number ten against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen from an England fly-half for quite some time.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, while executing several crucial choices during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His capacity to calm the squad strategically while making important decisions is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's primary fly-half and he should start versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe the manager the England coach sees it that way too, because Fin has proven he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

George Ford began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy reasons, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his performance during the visit of Argentina.

However, the national team's showing versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin given how below par Australia performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, were much more dangerous while offering a far tougher challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as an option when appropriate and versus the right opposition.

He's progressing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning score to beat Scotland, and that shows the importance of having players capable of creating a real impact from the bench.

That kind of presence might represent the deciding factor between winning the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match unfold from the bench while considering regarding ways he can make a difference upon entering.

His choices and error rate have improved significantly from his initial professional days.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Marcus as such type influential player, then having him in the backfield could be beneficial.

However, currently I believe he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a position that is still up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing England's backfield, therefore it must to be impenetrable.

It is a position requiring to become a real strength, in defense while regarding of the counter-attack danger.

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

I find it difficult to see the benefit of playing him there.

I want the ball under his control frequently, but I believe that should be in the front line, especially during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Fin has the ability executing the correct choices under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really taught.

I recall as he received possession during one phase within his own half appearing like it could be should they swung it wide.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying pressure.

That's the sort 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 around him, while recognizing that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I want to see him given the chance to show this at elite level next week, similar to the veteran do, especially at club level repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I believe we have playmaking options who can do the role, though Smith's defence on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete all-round player.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than an individual being a little more reserved.

You could also make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith coming off the bench.

Numerous factors that go on behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches decide to go, it will give the opponents difficulties.

That has not always been the narrative against the All Blacks, when attention 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 for a potential 50-20 can take all the stress away from England.