'Challenge they need': Springboks next target for Six Nations champions Ireland
The Springboks have been described as the "challenge Ireland need" after they claimed the 16th Six Nations title in their history …
Ben Smith
16 Mar 2024, 21:30
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.
'When push really comes to shove': Why this champion Ireland side is not 'truly great'
Ireland captured back-to-back Six Nations titles with a clinching 17-13 win over Scotland in Dublin which put this crop of Irish p…
Ben Smith
16 Mar 2024, 17:26
Opinion
The identity struggle the Springboks will have with Tony Brown
Do the South Africans need help from Kiwis on how to play attacking rugby? Perhaps the appointment says so. Brown is one of the mo…
Ben Smith
13 Mar 2024, 20:21
Hurricanes name high-powered bench in team to play the Crusaders
The Hurricanes have named a strong side as they look to continue their undefeated start to the season and back-to-back wins over t…
Ben Smith
12 Mar 2024, 22:25
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific team of the week: Jordie who? Reds are the real deal
The Super Rugby Pacific team of the week is dominated by Hurricanes and Reds players who produced in their respective wins over th…
Ben Smith
12 Mar 2024, 16:22
Analysis
How England's licence to thrill torpedoed an Irish Slam
Steve Borthwick unleashed a brilliant transition counterattack which Ireland simply didn't see coming.
Ben Smith
11 Mar 2024, 16:45
Opinion
Should England receive medals for beating Ireland
The visceral reaction to England's rousing win over Ireland has been a clap back at supposed arrogance from Irish media and former…
Ben Smith
10 Mar 2024, 17:20
Opinion
The players the Crusaders must axe to save their season
With the Crusaders now 0-3 they need to save their season next week against the undefeated Hurricanes in their first home game of …
Ben Smith
09 Mar 2024, 20:03
'There is no one there!': Matt Williams on Scotland's real problem area after Italy loss
Ex-Scotland head coach and Irish TV pundit Matt Williams has dissected Scotland's problem area in the 31-29 loss to Italy.
Ben Smith
09 Mar 2024, 15:20
'It's unacceptable': Why Highlanders pair were axed from starting line-up
The Highlanders tenacious defensive effort in 2024 has been fuelled by the hard-working loose forward unit of Sean Withy, Billy Ha…
Ben Smith
06 Mar 2024, 16:03
Ex-Crusader loose forward named for Highlanders debut against Waratahs
Former Crusaders and Chiefs loose forward Tom Sanders has been named to make his club debut for the Highlanders after returning ho…
Ben Smith
05 Mar 2024, 21:37
Crusaders name three debutants for Drua clash in Fiji
The Crusaders have named three debutants on their bench as they look to get their season back on track against the Fijian Drua at …
Ben Smith
05 Mar 2024, 21:17
Hurricanes midfielder Jordie Barrett banned for three weeks
Barrett was yellow carded at the time for the tackle which was upgraded to red upon review by the TMO. The foul play review commit…
Ben Smith
05 Mar 2024, 19:49
Opinion
Super Rugby takes: Australia have the best openside, Blues will get Caned
The Waratahs became the first Australian team to take a Kiwi scalp in Super round in Melbourne, handing the Crusaders an 0-2 start…
Ben Smith
05 Mar 2024, 16:45
Hurricanes investigate offensive politically-driven haka by Poua
The Hurricanes are looking into the altered haka that the Poua used before the Super Rugby Aupiki opener against Chiefs Manawa whi…
Ben Smith
04 Mar 2024, 20:15
Ex-All Black predicts when the Highlanders losing streak against NZ teams will end
Ex-All Blacks first five-eighth and two-time Super Rugby champion Aaron Cruden can see the Highlanders ending their 17-game winles…
Ben Smith
04 Mar 2024, 18:45
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific team of the week: Tahs dominate, Carter looking like Dan
The Waratahs got the first Kiwi scalp of the season taking down the defending champion Crusaders, Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua p…
Ben Smith
03 Mar 2024, 17:55
Opinion
Where is the Super going to come from in Melbourne
The Victorian capital is an AFL-mad city. This is not a rugby town. So just what is the selling point of Super Round? How has this…
Ben Smith
28 Feb 2024, 21:34
Highlanders bolster forward pack for Blues while ex-NZ U20 first five gets debut
The Highlanders have made three changes to their starting side, all in the forward pack, as they prepare to face the Blues in Melb…
Ben Smith
27 Feb 2024, 21:53
Blues welcome back two All Blacks as two others rested for Highlanders clash
The Blues have named a strong team for their first New Zealand derby of the season with the Highlanders on Friday night in the Sup…
Ben Smith
27 Feb 2024, 21:37
