Why England's Rising Star Is England's Number One Playmaker

According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot as England's fly-half against New Zealand this weekend.

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making defensive hits versus a physical Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, while executing several crucial decisions during moments didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to calm the squad tactically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and he should start versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick sees it that way as well, since Smith has proven he can perform during important Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his performance from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji was a significant improvement from the performance against Australia.

Australia lost in Italy last weekend, so we should not get overly excited with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia were.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering backup, I think Fin will be in an excellent position in his career.

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 while beginning to establish himself, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who registered the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, demonstrating the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game develop while substituted and thinks about how he can make an impact upon entering.

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

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus as such type influential performer, including him in the backfield might prove valuable.

Nonetheless, at the moment I don't think Marcus represents the solution at full-back, so that is a role that is still unclaimed.

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

It is a position that needs to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms offensive transitions danger.

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

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

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

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous parallels comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make right choices under pressure - his natural reactions represent traits that can be coach.

I recall as he received the ball during one phase within his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought they needed reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

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

Complete Package

He also has composure under pressure to organise the players nearby, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve as primary receiver.

I want to see him given the chance to show that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen George Ford accomplish, particularly during club level repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult situations, previously you could argue there have been times where he didn't fully delivered in the very highest-pressure matches.

I think we have two fly-halves who can do the job, though Smith's defence on top of additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round performer.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to adjust the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker position, rather than an individual being a little more passive.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting with Smith entering from the bench.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, but whichever way the coaches decide to go, it will give New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the narrative facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on selecting the right player.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks and execute for a potential 50-20 can take pressure away from the national team.