Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific
Contributors
Ben Smith
@bensmithrugby
A former financial analyst & auditor in retail banking, Ben is a columnist at RugbyPass specialising in opinion-based analysis, breaking down rugby as he sees it, to uncover what professional teams are trying to do around the world.
1219 Articles
'Can NZ sustain five teams?': Knives out on historic weekend for New Zealand Super teams
Round four of Super Rugby Pacific delivered a round of upsets with New Zealand Super Rugby teams on the wrong side of the ledger f…
Ben Smith
08 Mar 2025, 19:36
Blues confirm Beauden Barrett has broken hand
The Blues will lose playmaker Beauden Barrett for several weeks after scans revealed a fractured hand after the 21-2o loss to the …
Ben Smith
08 Mar 2025, 17:07
Beauden Barrett back in favoured No.10 jersey for Blues as back row rejigged
All Black superstar Beauden Barrett is back in the No.10 jersey for the Blues as they prepare to face the strength of the Brumbies…
Ben Smith
05 Mar 2025, 0:14
Ex-All Black reveals NRL star Kalyn Ponga linked with Super Rugby team
Former All Black first five-eighth Steven Donald has dropped a bombshell on The Aftermatch podcast revealing his sources say NRL s…
Ben Smith
04 Mar 2025, 16:31
Opinion
Hurricanes vs Blues takes: Canes' pack puffed out, Godfrey NZ's best 10
The Blues earned their first win of the season in Wellington on Saturday night, finding their way past the Hurricanes with a 69th-…
Ben Smith
02 Mar 2025, 2:34
'100 cap All Black': Leading midfield candidates putting pressure on Razor
Three weeks into Super Rugby Pacific and the race for the All Blacks midfield is heating up with new contenders pushing into conte…
Ben Smith
01 Mar 2025, 22:37
Ex-Crusader debuts, All Black star returns for the Chiefs
All Black hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho will make his much-awaited return to rugby from the bench this weekend when the Chiefs host t…
Ben Smith
25 Feb 2025, 22:13
New Hurricanes pivot Harry Godfrey turning into a gem
Thrown into the deep end due to an injury crisis, new Hurricanes starting first-five Harry Godfrey is paying dividends.
Ben Smith
22 Feb 2025, 17:40
Watch: Explosive young fullback arrives at Super Rugby level to tear apart Blues
Young Highlanders fullback Finn Hurley announced himself as a star of the future with a stunning two-try display against the Blues…
Ben Smith
22 Feb 2025, 15:44
Highlanders make back row reshuffle and name 6-2 bench for the Blues
The Highlanders have switched up their back row combinations and named a forward-heavy bench as they prepare to take on the Blues …
Ben Smith
18 Feb 2025, 22:54
Just one change for the Hurricanes to play the Fijian Drua in home opener
The Hurricanes have named their team to face the Fijian Drua as they prepare for their home opener after last week's round one los…
Ben Smith
18 Feb 2025, 22:23
Clayton McMillan's verdict on his former All Blacks Sevens star's debut
Three former All Blacks Sevens flyers lined up in new colours in round one of Super Rugby Pacific and each of them left a strong i…
Ben Smith
17 Feb 2025, 21:24
Louis Rees-Zammit is not coming back to rugby as he is handed NFL lifeline
NFL-hopeful and Welsh rugby superstar Louis Rees-Zammit has been handed an NFL lifeline, signing an active roster deal with the Ja…
Ben Smith
17 Feb 2025, 15:26
'He's our guy': Clayton McMillan confirms reasons behind McKenzie switch to fullback
Chiefs head coach has confirmed the reasons behind moving Damian McKenzie to fullback for last night's win over the Blues in Auckl…
Ben Smith
16 Feb 2025, 1:46
Blues may have been fazed by the 'unfamiliar' favourites tag says Cotter
Cotter suggested that the unfamiliar favourites tag may have played a part in the defeat to the Chiefs in the opening round of Sup…
Ben Smith
15 Feb 2025, 22:56
'Not really that genuine': Blues captain's brutal honestly about Chiefs' loss
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu described the opening round loss to the Chiefs as 'very frustrating' as the defending champs could…
Ben Smith
15 Feb 2025, 22:35
'More here': Ex-NRL star says Super Rugby tougher than international rugby
Ex-NRL star and Wallabies superstar Joseph Suaalii got his first taste of club action for the Waratahs on Friday night and was sur…
Ben Smith
15 Feb 2025, 19:07
Chiefs shift McKenzie as new-look pack named to take on the Blues
The Chiefs have shifted All Black first five Damian McKenzie back to fullback to square off against Beauden Barrett, also wearing …
Ben Smith
11 Feb 2025, 22:34
Blues name two debutants in team to face Chiefs in grand final rematch
The Blues have named a near-full strength side to face the Chiefs in Saturday night's rematch of last year's Super Rugby Pacific f…
Ben Smith
11 Feb 2025, 22:19
'Average game': What went wrong with Antoine Dupont against England
France's superstar Antoine Dupont had an uncharacteristic game at Twickenham against England as France came crashing back to Earth…
Ben Smith
09 Feb 2025, 1:28
