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In expert analysis, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the starting position as England's number ten versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

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

His courageous approach by consistently making defensive hits versus a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and control, while executing some strong decisions during moments didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His capacity to settle the team tactically and make important decisions is something he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's number one fly-half and he should begin against New Zealand next week.

I believe the manager the England coach sees it similarly too, because Fin has proven his capability in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford started the previous weekend against Australia for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji represented a marked improvement compared to the display against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, so we should avoid becoming overly excited about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin given how off the pace Australia were.

Fiji, on the other hand, were much more threatening and presented a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith remains just 23 - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford pushing him while providing backup, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent place in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility at the right time and against the right opposition.

He is developing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive try defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of possessing players who can make genuine influence from the bench.

That kind of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup from failure.

McKenzie watches the game develop while substituted and thinks regarding ways to create a difference upon entering.

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Smith as that kind of impactful player, including him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe he represents the solution at full-back, so that is a role remaining up for grabs.

The All Blacks are likely to punt testing the English backfield, so it has to be impenetrable.

This role that needs to become a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I believe Smith functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to identify the advantage fielding him there.

I prefer the ball under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, especially during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities between Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make the correct decisions during tense moments - his instincts represent traits that can be coach.

I remember when he got the ball at one stage within his territory and it looked that opportunity existed on if they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin them back and turn pressure.

That's the sort of playmaking securing titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players nearby, while recognizing that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show this at elite standards soon, similar to the veteran do, especially at club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford similarly excelled during challenging situations, where historically one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully delivered in the very highest-pressure matches.

I believe we have playmaking options who can do the role, though Smith's defensive work on top of additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, instead of someone who is a little more passive.

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

Numerous considerations occurring privately, but whichever way the management choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on picking the optimal individual.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected will pressure New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability to pick the right kick while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take pressure away from England.