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, 22:34
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.
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, 22:53
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, 22:37
Hurricanes' loose forward depth tested as Jordie Barrett named for 100th cap
Jordie Barrett will join brother Beauden in the Hurricanes centurion club and will become the 16th in franchise history alongside …
Ben Smith
27 Feb 2024, 22:19
'It just doesn't make sense': Ex-All Black blasts handling of Ethan Blackadder
Former All Black Justin Marshall has taken aim at the resting protocols which has seemingly captured all players regardless of the…
Ben Smith
27 Feb 2024, 16:25
Opinion
Super Rugby takes: Levi Aumua wasted by Crusaders, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens needs an encore
The Canes bashed the Force, the Crusaders fell to the Chiefs without using their star signing, the Reds have the best flyhalf in A…
Ben Smith
26 Feb 2024, 19:58
Chiefs get reprieve as McKenzie cleared but another All Black sidelined
The Chiefs have got positive news after Damian McKenzie was forced off the field early in the second half against the Crusaders in…
Ben Smith
26 Feb 2024, 16:33
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific team of the week: Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan
Six Australians, eight Kiwis and one Samoan made the cut for the Super Rugby Pacific team of the week for their performances in ro…
Ben Smith
25 Feb 2024, 21:06
'Their skill execution was absolutely atrocious': Irish pundits pick apart England's loss
Irish TV pundits dissected England's performance on Virgin Media Sport which showed England were who everyone thought they were.
Ben Smith
24 Feb 2024, 18:14
'Signing of the decade': New Zealand's fullback riches on show as Highlanders' recruit stars
Round one of Super Rugby Pacific saw the emergence of New Zealand's next crop of fullbacks with Chay Fihaki, Zarn Sullivan and Jac…
Ben Smith
24 Feb 2024, 17:02
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific 2024: Crusaders' Rolls Royce is now a Toyota
How will the Crusaders fare without super coach Scott Robertson? The burning question of Super Rugby Pacific 2024 is answered.
Ben Smith
22 Feb 2024, 19:00
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific 2024: Blues and Chiefs to fight for title, Moana to three-peat
Which team will win the Super Rugby Pacific 2024 title and who will finish with the wooden spoon?
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2024, 18:57
Opinion
Thanks but no thanks, the All Blacks do not need to copy the Boks
The Springboks have not found a foolproof recipe for World Cup success that the All Blacks need to follow under Scott Robertson.
Ben Smith
19 Feb 2024, 22:01
Scott Robertson's view of the Springboks and whether the All Blacks have to emulate them
New All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has offered his view on whether the All Blacks have to change and become like the Spring…
Ben Smith
18 Feb 2024, 20:32
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific 2024: Highlanders are the off-season champions
Answering the big questions ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the writers predict which player will end up as the best…
Ben Smith
18 Feb 2024, 18:28
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific 2024: McKenzie and Stevenson dominate, Love becomes an All Black
The big questions ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, who will be the MVP and breakthrough player this year.
Ben Smith
17 Feb 2024, 22:39
Early All Blacks depth chart: Roigard leads at halfback
What does the All Blacks' depth chart currently look like? Starting with the halfback position each player is ranked based on thei…
Ben Smith
14 Feb 2024, 20:52
All Black props rated hardest hitters in Super Rugby Pacific
The Super Rugby Pacific captains have given up their first-hand knowledge on the hardest hitters in the competition with a handful…
Ben Smith
13 Feb 2024, 19:44
'There is a void': Scott Barrett on how Crusaders will deal with personnel losses
Crusaders captain Scott Barrett admits that the club has a "void" to fill ahead of their 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign after l…
Ben Smith
13 Feb 2024, 19:11
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific 2024: Crusaders to crumble, Brumbies will shine
The RugbyPass Round Table writers answer the big questions ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season starting with the best and…
Ben Smith
12 Feb 2024, 22:29
