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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown that he merits the starting position as England's number ten against the All Blacks on Saturday.

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

His courageous approach through regularly completing defensive hits versus a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and composure, while executing some strong choices during moments were not going to plan during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

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

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's primary fly-half and deserves to begin against the All Blacks this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick views it similarly as well, because Fin has proven he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford began last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy reasons, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour to South America.

But England's performance against Fiji was a significant improvement compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, therefore we must not get overly excited about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace the Australians performed.

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

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only 23 - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him while providing support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong position as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as an option when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to show his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who scored the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing players who can make a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the game develop while substituted and thinks about how he can make an impact when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have enhanced significantly since his early professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith to be such type of impactful performer, then having him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I don't think he represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a role remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English backfield, so it has remain impenetrable.

This role that needs to become a genuine asset, in defense while regarding of the counter-attack threat.

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

I find it difficult to see the benefit of playing him in that position.

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous similarities between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability to make right decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

I remember as he received the ball at one stage within his territory appearing that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he thought they needed reversing Fiji round since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted to pressure the opponents applying pressure.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players nearby, and the understanding that he mustn't constantly serve as primary option.

I hope to witness him receiving the opportunity to show that at the highest level next week, similar to George Ford do, particularly during club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled during challenging circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defence combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile player.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to adjust the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player in the fly-half channel, instead of an individual being somewhat passive.

One might make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith coming off the bench.

Numerous factors occurring privately, however the management decide to go, this will present the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus was simply on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability selecting the right kick while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take all the stress off England.