The Reasons England's Rising Star Is England's Number One Playmaker

In expert analysis, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the most impressive defensive performance we have seen by an English playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles against an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of finesse and composure, while executing several crucial decisions when things were not going as expected in the first half.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Command

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

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

I think head coach Steve Borthwick sees it that way as well, because Fin has proven he can perform in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday against Australia for leadership reasons, and part of that choice was to provide consistency and reward his performance during the visit to South America.

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

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, therefore we must avoid becoming too carried away with that win, which should have been more comprehensive considering how below par the Australians were.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous and presented a much more difficult test.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just 23 - projecting forward two years, with Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I think Smith will find himself in an excellent place in his career.

The Harlequins star also has to be regarded as a possibility at the right time and against the right opposition.

He is developing in his career while beginning to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning try to beat the Scottish team, demonstrating the importance of having individuals who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor between winning the global tournament or not.

McKenzie observes the match develop from the bench and thinks regarding ways to create a difference when he comes on.

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

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith as that kind of impactful performer, including him in the backfield could be valuable.

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

The All Blacks will kick testing England's backfield, therefore it must to be watertight.

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

Right now, I believe Smith is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

I find it difficult to identify the advantage of playing him there.

I prefer the ball in his hands as much as possible, though I think that should be in the front line, particularly during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the ability to make the correct choices during tense moments - his instincts represent traits you can really coach.

I recall when he got possession at one stage within his territory appearing that opportunity existed on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking securing championships while claiming World Cups.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness during intensity to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first receiver.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance to show that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen the veteran do, particularly during domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half also stood up in difficult circumstances, previously you could argue occasions existed he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

I think England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defensive work on top of additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, instead of an individual being a little more passive.

You could also make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

Numerous factors that go on behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, this will present New Zealand problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus was simply on selecting the optimal individual.

This time, either playmaker selected will pressure the All Blacks significantly.

Smith's capacity selecting optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible territorial gains might relieve pressure off the national team.