Why Fin Smith Is England's Top Choice Fly-Half

According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the first-choice spot as England's fly-half against the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the best defensive performance observed from an England fly-half for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and composure, while executing several crucial choices when things didn't proceed to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess and Strategic Leadership

His ability to calm the team tactically and make important decisions is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's number one playmaker and he should start versus New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach the England coach views it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his form during the visit to South America.

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

Australia lost on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get overly excited about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin considering how below par Australia performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening while offering a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith is still only twenty-three - looking ahead two years, with Ford pushing him while providing support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong position as a player.

The Harlequins star must also be regarded as a possibility at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player and is starting to establish himself, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning try defeating Scotland, demonstrating the importance of having players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup or not.

McKenzie watches the match unfold while substituted and thinks regarding ways to create an impact upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be that kind influential player, including him in the backfield might prove valuable.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe Marcus represents the solution at full-back, making it a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt to challenge England's backfield, therefore it must to be watertight.

It is a position requiring transforming into a genuine asset, both defensively and in terms offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I don't think Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to see the advantage of playing him there.

I want the ball under his control frequently, though I think that should be in the front line, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Fin has the capacity executing right decisions under pressure - his natural reactions represent traits that can be coach.

I remember as he received the ball at one stage just inside his territory and it looked like it could be should they swung it wide.

But in those milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents applying the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking that wins titles and wins World Cups.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first receiver.

I want to see him given the chance demonstrating this at elite standards soon, just as we have seen George Ford accomplish, especially at domestic matches week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically one might suggest occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the job, though Smith's defensive work on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete versatile player.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to modify the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, rather than someone who is a little more passive.

You could also present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from the bench.

There are so many factors that go on privately, however the management choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

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

On this occasion, either playmaker they choose can put New Zealand significantly.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure away from the national team.