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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the starting position as England's number ten versus New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles versus a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and composure, and made several crucial choices during moments didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Leadership

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

In my opinion, Fin Smith is England's primary playmaker and deserves to begin versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick views it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday against Australia for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour of Argentina.

But England's performance against Fiji represented a marked step up compared to the display against Australia.

Australia lost on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming overly excited with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace the Australians were.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, were much more dangerous while offering a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him while providing backup, I believe Fin will be in an excellent position in his career.

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

He is developing in his career and is starting to establish himself, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive score to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of having individuals who can make a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup from failure.

McKenzie watches the game develop from the bench and thinks about how he can make an impact upon entering.

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced significantly from his initial career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus as such type of impactful performer, then having him in the backfield might prove valuable.

However, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution at full-back, so that is a position remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

This role that needs to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms offensive transitions threat.

Right now, I don't think Marcus functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I want possession in his hands as much as possible, though I think that should be among starters, especially during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities between Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability to make right decisions during tense moments - his instincts represent traits that can be taught.

I remember when he got possession during one phase within his territory and it looked that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed to turn the opposition since England were leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure them back applying pressure.

This represents the type of playmaking securing championships and wins global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first option.

I want to see him given the chance to show this at elite standards soon, similar to George Ford accomplish, especially at domestic matches week in and week out.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense matches.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to adjust the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player occupying the playmaker position, rather than an individual being somewhat reserved.

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

Numerous considerations that go on behind closed doors, however the coaches choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, when attention was simply on selecting the right player.

This time, either playmaker they choose can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks and execute for a potential territorial gains might relieve all the stress off England.