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In expert analysis, Fin Smith has shown that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten versus the All Blacks this weekend.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the best defensive display we have seen by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against an aggressive Fijian team stood out remarkably.

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

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Command

His ability to calm the squad strategically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has really mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's primary fly-half and deserves to begin against New Zealand this weekend.

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

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour to South America.

But England's showing against Fiji represented a marked improvement from the performance against Australia.

Australia lost on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get too carried away about that victory, which should have been more comprehensive considering how below par the Australians performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening while offering a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only 23 - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford pushing him while providing support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent position in his career.

The Harlequins star must also be considered as a possibility at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to show his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who scored the decisive try defeating Scotland, demonstrating the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match unfold from the bench and thinks regarding ways to create an impact upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially from his initial career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus as such type of impactful player, including him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

However, currently I believe Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a role that is still up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

It is a position requiring transforming into a genuine asset, in defense while regarding of the counter-attack danger.

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

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

I want possession under his control frequently, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing right decisions under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really coach.

I remember as he received the ball at one stage just inside his own half and it looked that opportunity existed on if they swung it wide.

But in those split-seconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents and turn pressure.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing championships and wins World Cups.

All-round Ability

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

I want to see him receiving the opportunity to show this at elite standards soon, just as we have seen George Ford do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up during challenging circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed he has not quite done so during extremely tense games.

I believe we have playmaking options capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defence combined with everything else, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile player.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to modify the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, rather than an individual being somewhat passive.

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

There are so many factors 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 situation against the All Blacks, when attention was simply on picking the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

Fin's ability selecting the right kick while delivering enabling possible 50-20 can take all the stress away from England.