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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten versus New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive display observed by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His game management was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and composure, and made some strong choices during moments didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His ability to calm the squad strategically and make big calls is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's primary playmaker and he should begin against New Zealand next week.

I think head coach the England coach sees it similarly as well, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, and part of that choice was to provide continuity and reward his form during the visit of Argentina.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, therefore we must not get too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how below par Australia were.

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

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford pushing him while providing backup, I think Fin will be in a very strong position in his career.

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

He's progressing in his career while beginning to establish himself, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning try defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of having players capable of creating a real impact as substitutes.

That kind of player might represent the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the match develop from the bench and thinks about how he can make a difference when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be such type of impactful player, including him in the backfield could be beneficial.

However, at the moment I don't think Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, making it a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing England's backfield, therefore it must to be impenetrable.

This role that needs to become a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I believe Smith is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I want possession in his hands as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, especially in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make the correct decisions during tense moments - his instincts represent traits you can really taught.

I recall as he received possession at one stage just inside his own half appearing like it could be should they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he calculated they needed to turn Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing titles while claiming global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure during intensity directing teammates around him, while recognizing that he mustn't constantly serve as primary receiver.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show this at elite standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran accomplish, particularly during club level repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, where historically one might suggest occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered in the very highest-pressure games.

I believe England possesses playmaking options who can do the job, though Smith's defence combined with everything else, it makes him the more complete versatile player.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to adjust your defensive system when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, instead of an individual being a little more reserved.

You could also present compelling arguments for Ford starting with Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many factors occurring privately, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, it will give the opponents difficulties.

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

This time, whichever fly-half they choose can put the All Blacks significantly.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 can take all the stress away from the national team.