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In expert analysis, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half against the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced arguably the most impressive 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 game management proved exceptional - he showed a perfect blend of finesse and control, while executing several crucial choices when things didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Leadership

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

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's number one fly-half and deserves to start versus the All Blacks next week.

I think head coach the England coach sees it that way as well, because Fin has demonstrated his capability in big international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

George Ford began the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy reasons, and part of that decision aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his form during the visit of Argentina.

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

Australia lost on Italian soil last weekend, therefore we must not get too carried away about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how below par the Australians were.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only twenty-three - projecting forward two years, with Ford challenging him while providing support, I believe Fin will be in an excellent place in his career.

The Harlequins star must also be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against the right opposition.

He's progressing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of having individuals capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

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

McKenzie observes the game develop from the bench and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference upon entering.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have improved significantly since his early career.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be that kind of impactful player, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

However, at the moment I don't think he is the answer at full-back, so that is a position that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English defensive line, therefore it must remain watertight.

This role requiring transforming into a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I don't think Marcus is a full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I prefer possession in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

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

Fin has the capacity executing the correct choices under pressure - his instincts represent traits you can really coach.

I recall when he got the ball at one stage within his own half and it looked that opportunity existed on if they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he calculated the team required to turn the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents applying pressure.

This represents the type of playmaking securing titles and wins World Cups.

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness during intensity directing the players around him, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him receiving the chance to show that at the highest standards soon, similar to George Ford accomplish, especially at domestic matches repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, previously you could argue occasions existed he has not quite done so during extremely tense matches.

I think England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defensive work combined with additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded versatile player.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to adjust the defensive structure while fielding someone aggressive in the fly-half channel, rather than an individual being a little more passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, but whichever way the management decide to go, this will present New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the right player.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure New Zealand under real pressure.

Smith's capacity selecting the right kick while delivering for a potential territorial gains might relieve pressure away from the national team.