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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown that he merits the first-choice spot as England's number ten versus the All Blacks this weekend.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the most impressive defensive performance we have seen by an English fly-half in several years.

How he fronted up through regularly completing defensive hits against an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and control, and made some strong choices when things were not going to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His capacity to settle the team strategically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has really nailed.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's number one playmaker and he should start against New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach the England coach views it similarly too, since Smith has proven his capability during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his performance from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should avoid becoming too carried away with that win, which should have been by a larger margin considering how below par the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, were much more dangerous and presented a far tougher test.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Fin will be in an excellent place as a player.

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

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

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on their impact player, who scored the match-winning score to beat Scotland, and that shows the importance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of player might represent the difference between winning the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match unfold from the bench and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved substantially from his initial professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith as such type of impactful performer, including him among substitutes could be beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe he is the answer at full-back, making it a role that is still unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt to challenge the English defensive line, therefore it must to be impenetrable.

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, both defensively while regarding of the counter-attack threat.

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

I struggle to see the benefit fielding him there.

I want the ball under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur in the front line, especially in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the capacity executing the correct decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits that can be taught.

I remember when he got possession at one stage just inside his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought they needed to turn Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin them back and turn the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking that wins championships while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity directing teammates around him, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first receiver.

I hope to witness him receiving the opportunity to show this at elite level next week, similar to George Ford accomplish, particularly during club level repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, previously you could argue there have been times he has not quite delivered during extremely tense matches.

I believe we have playmaking options capable of performing the role, though Smith's defensive work combined with additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to adjust the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from the bench.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, it will give the opponents difficulties.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, when attention concentrated solely on picking 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 enabling possible 50-20 can take all the stress away from England.