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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen from an England fly-half for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making defensive hits against an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he showed a perfect blend of finesse and control, while executing some strong decisions during moments didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Leadership

His capacity to settle the squad tactically and make important decisions represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

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

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick sees it similarly too, because Fin has proven he can perform during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy considerations, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his performance during the visit of Argentina.

But England's performance versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should not get too carried away about that victory, that could have been more comprehensive given how off the pace the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, were much more dangerous and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I think Smith will find himself in a very strong place as a player.

The Harlequins star also has to be regarded as an option when appropriate and against the right opposition.

He's progressing in his career while beginning to establish himself, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive score defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of possessing individuals who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the difference separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie observes the match develop while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have improved substantially from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus as such type of impactful performer, then having him among substitutes might prove valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a role that is still unclaimed.

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

It is a position that needs to become a real strength, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

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

I struggle to identify the advantage fielding him there.

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, though I think that should be in the front line, particularly in the final quarter.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the capacity to make right choices under pressure - his natural reactions are not something that can be coach.

I recall as he received the ball during one phase just inside his own half and it looked like it could be should they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin them back and turn the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing championships and wins global tournaments.

Complete Package

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

I want to see him receiving the opportunity to show this at elite level next week, similar to the veteran do, especially at club level repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up during challenging situations, where historically you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered in the very highest-pressure matches.

I believe England possesses two fly-halves who can do the role, but with Fin's defensive work on top of everything else, it makes him the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player occupying the playmaker position, rather than an individual being somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from the bench.

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

This hasn't consistently represented the narrative against the All Blacks, where the focus was simply on selecting the right player.

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

Smith's capacity selecting optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 might relieve all the stress off England.