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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the best defensive display observed from an England fly-half for quite some time.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and control, and made several crucial choices when things didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His capacity to settle the team tactically and make big calls represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and deserves to start against New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager the England coach views it that way too, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform in big international games.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

George Ford began last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, and part of that choice was to provide consistency while acknowledging his performance from the tour of Argentina.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia lost in Italy last weekend, therefore we must avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how below par the Australians were.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous and presented a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith is still only twenty-three - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford challenging him while providing backup, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent position as a player.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player while beginning to establish himself, but he also needs the freedom to show his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who registered the decisive score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of having players who can make a real impact from the bench.

Such type of presence can be the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup from failure.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game develop while substituted and thinks regarding ways to create a difference when he comes on.

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

Role Discussion

Should we develop Smith as such type of impactful performer, including him in the backfield could be valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I believe he represents the solution at full-back, making it a role that is still unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt testing England's backfield, therefore it must to be watertight.

It is a position that needs transforming into a genuine asset, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

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

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

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be in the front line, especially in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

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

I recall when he got possession at one stage just inside his own half appearing that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying pressure.

That's the sort of playmaking securing championships while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has composure under pressure to organise teammates around him, and the understanding that he mustn't constantly serve as primary option.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance demonstrating this at elite standards soon, similar to George Ford do, particularly during club level week in and week out.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half also stood up in difficult circumstances, previously you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense matches.

I believe we have two fly-halves who can do the job, though Smith's defensive work on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system while fielding an assertive player in the fly-half channel, instead of an individual being somewhat passive.

One might make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

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

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, either playmaker they choose will pressure New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible territorial gains might relieve all the stress off the national team.