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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown that he merits the first-choice spot as England's fly-half versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive display we have seen by an English fly-half 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 skill and control, and made several crucial decisions during moments were not going as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His capacity to calm the squad strategically while making big calls represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's primary fly-half and he should start versus the All Blacks next week.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick sees it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half began the previous weekend against Australia for leadership considerations, and part of that decision was to provide continuity while acknowledging his performance from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia lost in Italy last weekend, so we should not get overly excited about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin given how off the pace Australia were.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening while offering a far tougher challenge.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, with Ford pushing him while providing support, I think Fin will be in an excellent place in his career.

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

He is developing as a player while beginning to establish himself, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing players who can make genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor between winning a World Cup from failure.

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

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced substantially since his early professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Marcus as such type influential performer, including him among substitutes could be valuable.

However, currently I believe Marcus is the answer at full-back, making it a role that is still unclaimed.

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

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, both defensively while regarding offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I don't think Marcus is a full-back at the highest level.

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

I want possession under his control as much as possible, though I think that should be among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing right choices under pressure - his instincts represent traits that can be coach.

I remember as he received possession during one phase within his territory appearing like it could be on if they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure them back applying the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking securing titles while claiming World Cups.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness during intensity to organise teammates nearby, while recognizing that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

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

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half also stood up during challenging situations, where historically you could argue there have been times he has not quite delivered in the very highest-pressure matches.

I believe we have playmaking options who can do the job, but with Fin's defensive work on top of everything else, establishes him as the more complete all-round player.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to adjust the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, instead of someone who is somewhat reserved.

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

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the management 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, either playmaker selected can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity selecting the right kick while delivering enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure away from England.