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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position as England's fly-half against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the most impressive defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles versus an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and composure, while executing several crucial decisions during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Command

His capacity to calm the squad tactically and make important decisions is something he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and deserves to begin versus the All Blacks this weekend.

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

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that choice was to provide consistency while acknowledging his performance during the visit of Argentina.

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

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get too carried away about that victory, that could have been more comprehensive given how below par Australia were.

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

Future Prospects

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I believe Smith will find himself in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against the right opposition.

He's progressing as a player while beginning to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who registered the match-winning score defeating Scotland, demonstrating the significance of having individuals who can make genuine influence from the bench.

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

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold while substituted while considering regarding ways to create an impact upon entering.

His choices and error rate have improved significantly from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith to be such type influential player, then having him among substitutes could be valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I believe Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, making it a position that is still unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt testing England's defensive line, so it has remain watertight.

This role requiring to become a real strength, both defensively while regarding offensive transitions threat.

Right now, I believe Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I prefer possession in his hands frequently, though I think this should occur among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

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

Smith possesses the capacity executing the correct choices during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits that can be coach.

I remember as he received the ball at one stage just inside his own half and it looked like it could be on if they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required reversing the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure them back and turn the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking that wins championships while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite standards soon, similar to George Ford accomplish, particularly during domestic matches week in consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult situations, previously you could argue there have been times he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure games.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the job, though Smith's defensive work on top of additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile performer.

Tactical Setup

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

One might make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many factors that go on behind closed doors, however the coaches decide to go, this will present New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, when attention concentrated solely on selecting the optimal individual.

On this occasion, either playmaker selected can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability selecting the right kick while delivering enabling possible 50-20 might relieve pressure off England.