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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated 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 most impressive defensive performance observed from an England fly-half for quite some time.

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

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and composure, and made several crucial choices during moments didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His ability to calm the squad strategically while making important decisions is something he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's number one playmaker and he should begin against the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick views it similarly as well, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform in big international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

George Ford began last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that decision was to provide consistency while acknowledging his performance from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji was a significant step up from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy on Saturday, so we should not get overly excited about that victory, that could have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace Australia were.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly threatening while offering a much more difficult test.

Future Prospects

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

The Harlequins star must also be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus the right opposition.

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

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who registered the match-winning try defeating Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the match develop while substituted while considering regarding ways he can make an impact upon entering.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved substantially from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith as such type influential player, then having him among substitutes might prove valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think he represents the solution at full-back, making it a role that is still up for grabs.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English defensive line, therefore it must remain watertight.

This role requiring to become a real strength, in defense and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I believe Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the benefit fielding him there.

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be in the front line, especially during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist a lot of parallels between Ford with Smith.

Fin has the capacity executing the correct decisions under pressure - his instincts represent traits you can really coach.

I recall when he got possession at one stage just inside his own half and it looked that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

But in those milliseconds he thought they needed to turn Fiji round since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted to pressure them back and turn the screw.

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

Complete Package

He also has composure under pressure directing teammates nearby, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him receiving the opportunity demonstrating that at the highest standards soon, similar to the veteran do, particularly during club level repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half also stood up during challenging situations, previously one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense matches.

I believe England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defensive work combined with additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to modify the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker position, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the coaches choose to proceed, it will give the opponents difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on selecting the optimal individual.

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

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible territorial gains might relieve all the stress off the national team.