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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the starting position as England's fly-half versus New Zealand this weekend.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the most impressive defensive display observed by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing defensive hits against a physical Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His game management was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and control, while executing some strong decisions when things didn't proceed to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to calm the team strategically and make big calls is something he has truly mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's number one playmaker and he should start versus New Zealand next week.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick sees it that way as well, because Fin has demonstrated his capability in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that choice was to provide continuity while acknowledging his performance from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked step up from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies lost on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should not get overly excited with that win, which should have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace the Australians performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous while offering a much more difficult challenge.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith is still only 23 - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him while providing backup, I think Fin will be in an excellent position as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as an option when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player and is starting to establish himself, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who registered the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor between winning a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold from the bench and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus to be that kind influential player, then having him among substitutes could be valuable.

However, currently I believe Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, making it a role remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand are likely to punt to challenge the English backfield, so it has to be watertight.

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, in defense and in terms offensive transitions threat.

Right now, I don't think Smith is a full-back at the highest level.

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

I want possession under his control as much as possible, but I believe this should occur in the front line, particularly during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability to make the correct choices under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really coach.

I remember when he got the ball at one stage within his own half and it looked like it could be should they swung it wide.

But in those milliseconds he thought they needed to turn Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted to pressure them back and turn pressure.

That's the sort of playmaking securing titles while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity directing teammates around him, and the understanding that he doesn't constantly serve as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, similar to George Ford accomplish, particularly during club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense games.

I believe we have two fly-halves who can do the role, but with Fin's defensive work combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the more complete all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker position, rather than an individual being somewhat reserved.

You could also present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on behind closed doors, however the coaches choose to proceed, this will present the opponents difficulties.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, when attention concentrated solely on selecting the right player.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks significantly.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible territorial gains might relieve pressure away from England.