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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten versus New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the most impressive defensive performance observed from an England fly-half for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against a physical Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of finesse and control, and made several crucial decisions during moments didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His capacity to settle the squad strategically and make important decisions is something he has really mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's primary fly-half and he should start against New Zealand this weekend.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick sees it similarly as well, because Fin has demonstrated his capability during important Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that decision was to provide consistency and reward his form from the tour to South America.

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

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, therefore we must avoid becoming overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin given how below par the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering support, I think Fin will be in a very strong position as a player.

The Harlequins star also has to be regarded as a possibility at the right time and versus the right opposition.

He's progressing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who scored the decisive score defeating the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing players who can make a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of player can be the difference separating victory a World Cup or not.

McKenzie watches the game unfold while substituted and thinks regarding ways to create an impact when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Smith to be that kind of impactful player, including him among substitutes could be beneficial.

However, at the moment I don't think he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a role that is still unclaimed.

The All Blacks will kick to challenge England's backfield, so it has remain watertight.

It is a position that needs to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I don't think Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

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

I want possession under his control frequently, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

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

Fin has the capacity to make the correct decisions under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really taught.

I recall as he received the ball at one stage within his own half and it looked that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying pressure.

This represents the type of playmaking that wins championships while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness during intensity directing the players nearby, and the understanding that he mustn't constantly serve to be the first receiver.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen George Ford accomplish, particularly during club level week in consistently.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult situations, where historically you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense games.

I believe we have playmaking options capable of performing the job, though Smith's defence on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to adjust your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, instead of someone who is a little more reserved.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many factors occurring behind closed doors, however the management choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

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

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

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