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

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the most impressive defensive performance we have seen by an English playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles versus a physical Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and control, and made several crucial decisions when things didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

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

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and deserves to begin against the All Blacks next week.

I think the manager Steve Borthwick views it that way too, because Fin has proven his capability in big international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

George Ford began last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his performance during the visit to South America.

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

The Wallabies lost in Italy on Saturday, so we should not get overly excited about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - projecting forward two years, with Ford challenging him while providing backup, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be regarded as a possibility at the right time and against suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks brought on their impact player, who scored the decisive score defeating Scotland, demonstrating the significance of possessing players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of presence might represent the difference separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the match develop from the bench and thinks regarding ways he can make an impact upon entering.

His choices and error rate have enhanced significantly from his initial career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus to be that kind of impactful player, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution at full-back, so that is a role that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick testing England's backfield, so it has to be impenetrable.

It is a position requiring to become a genuine asset, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I believe Smith is a full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the benefit fielding him in that position.

I want possession under his control as much as possible, though I think that should be in the front line, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously a lot of similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing the correct decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits you can really coach.

I remember when he got possession during one phase within his own half appearing like it could be should they spread play.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required to turn the opposition since England were leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin the opponents and turn pressure.

That's the sort of fly-half play that wins championships while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure to organise the players nearby, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve as primary option.

I want to see him given the chance to show this at elite level next week, similar to the veteran accomplish, especially at domestic matches week in consistently.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, previously one might suggest there have been times he has not quite delivered during extremely tense matches.

I think England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile performer.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to adjust the defensive structure while fielding someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, instead of an individual being somewhat reserved.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith entering from the bench.

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

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on picking the right player.

On this occasion, 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 might relieve all the stress away from the national team.