Why England's Rising Star Represents The National Team's Top Choice Playmaker

In expert analysis, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten against the All Blacks this weekend.

Fin Smith delivered without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen by an English playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up through regularly completing defensive hits against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of skill and control, and made several crucial choices during moments didn't proceed to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to calm the team tactically while making big calls is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's number one playmaker and deserves to start versus the All Blacks next week.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick views it similarly as well, because Fin has proven his capability during important international games.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday against Australia for leadership considerations, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his performance from the tour of Argentina.

But England's performance against Fiji was a significant step up compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

Australia lost on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming overly excited about that victory, that could have been more comprehensive considering how below par the Australians performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, were much more threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him while providing support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong position in his career.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career and is starting to establish himself, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of having players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of player can be the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

McKenzie watches the game unfold from the bench while considering about how he can make a difference when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have improved significantly since his early professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Smith as that kind of impactful performer, then having him in the backfield could be valuable.

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

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English backfield, therefore it must to be watertight.

It is a position requiring to become a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

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

I struggle to see the benefit of playing him in that position.

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but I believe this should occur in the front line, particularly in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously numerous similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing right decisions under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really taught.

I recall as he received the ball at one stage just inside his territory appearing like it could be should they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin them back and turn the screw.

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

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity directing the players nearby, and the understanding that he mustn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show this at elite standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran accomplish, especially at domestic matches week in consistently.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, previously you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense matches.

I think we have two fly-halves who can do the role, but with Fin's defence combined with additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round player.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to adjust the defensive structure when you have an assertive player occupying the playmaker position, rather than someone who is somewhat reserved.

You could also present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many factors occurring privately, however the management decide to go, it will give the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take all the stress away from England.