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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half against the All Blacks this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he demonstrated a perfect blend of finesse and composure, while executing several crucial decisions during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to calm the squad strategically and make big calls is something he has truly mastered.

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

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick views it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford began the previous weekend against Australia for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that decision aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his performance during the visit to South America.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked step up compared to the display against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy on Saturday, therefore we must not get too carried away about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous while offering a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker is still only 23 - looking ahead two years, with Ford pushing him but also offering support, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent place in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player while beginning to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning try defeating the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing individuals who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of presence can be the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the game unfold from the bench while considering regarding ways he can make an impact upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Smith to be such type influential performer, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I don't think he represents the solution in the number fifteen position, making it a position that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English defensive line, so it has remain impenetrable.

This role that needs to become a real strength, both defensively and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I believe Marcus is a full-back at the highest level.

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

I prefer the ball in his hands as much as possible, though I think that should be among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously numerous similarities between Ford with Smith.

Fin has the ability executing the correct choices during tense moments - his instincts represent traits that can be coach.

I remember when he got possession during one phase just inside his own half and it looked like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required reversing Fiji round as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin them back and turn the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking securing championships and wins World Cups.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses composure during intensity directing teammates nearby, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary option.

I hope to witness him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, similar to George Ford do, especially at domestic matches week in and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up during challenging circumstances, previously you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense matches.

I think we have two fly-halves who can do the role, though Smith's defensive work on top of additional qualities, it makes him the more complete versatile player.

Tactical Setup

It also means there's no need to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, instead of an individual being a little more reserved.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the coaches choose to proceed, it will give the opponents problems.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, when attention concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

On this occasion, either playmaker selected can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks while delivering for a potential territorial gains might relieve pressure off the national team.