Opinion
Two Springbok packs can't match the tempo of Ireland's one
The context doesn't matter and all of a sudden the 7-1 split is now the greatest thing in rugby and Ireland should be quivering at…
Ben Smith
21 Sep 2023, 8:55
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.
'They should be throwing baguettes at me': Eddie Jones digests Australia's loss to Fiji
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones says he takes "full responsibility" for Australia's first loss to Fiji since 1954 but doesn't reg…
Ben Smith
17 Sep 2023, 15:15
Opinion
Fiji player ratings vs Australia | Rugby World Cup 2023
After the tight loss to Wales last week, Fiji responded with an emphatic 22-15 win against the Wallabies in Saint Etienne to shake…
Ben Smith
17 Sep 2023, 14:16
Opinion
Come on Springboks, do the All Blacks a favour
The ultimate pretenders love showing up when nothing is on the line. The All Blacks would love to see them again as the alternativ…
Ben Smith
17 Sep 2023, 6:59
'I haven't seen an All Blacks team play like that for a long time'
Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee believes that his side received a special type of performance from the All Blacks in Toulouse …
Ben Smith
16 Sep 2023, 11:14
All Blacks make nine changes to the starting XV to take on Namibia
The All Blacks have made nine changes to the starting side to face Namibia after their opening match 27-13 loss to France in Paris…
Ben Smith
13 Sep 2023, 10:26
'We got a bit of a touch-up': All Blacks looking to fix scrummaging woes against Namibia
The All Blacks aren't looking to reinvent the wheel for the set-piece that got "touched up" in the 27-13 loss to France in the ope…
Ben Smith
13 Sep 2023, 4:08
Opinion
Fiji player ratings vs Wales | Rugby World Cup 2023
Wales looked to fight fire with fire and matched Fiji's enterprise with brilliant counter-attacking rugby of their own. They looke…
Ben Smith
10 Sep 2023, 17:21
Opinion
Wallabies player ratings vs Georgia | Rugby World Cup 2023
The Wallabies got back into winning ways with a 35-15 win over Georgia in their opening pool stage clash in Paris.
Ben Smith
09 Sep 2023, 14:34
Opinion
This game didn't win France the World Cup and it didn't lose it for the All Blacks
It was destined fate for the hosts to start with a bang and New Zealand became the fatality on the night, in the process dropping …
Ben Smith
08 Sep 2023, 20:55
Opinion
The All Blacks know all too well the weight that Dupont must carry for France
During their prime athletic years, through the mid-to-late 20s, the game's superstars may get the chance at one or two World Cups …
Ben Smith
08 Sep 2023, 7:01
'Just throw the first game’: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster on World Cup strategy
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says he has "never seen" a build-up to the opening game of the Rugby World Cup against host natio…
Ben Smith
07 Sep 2023, 9:51
'Weakest in history': France will 'trounce' All Blacks in opener says former French international
Former French international Olivier Magne has brutally labelled the 2023 All Blacks the "weakest in history" ahead of the Rugby Wo…
Ben Smith
04 Sep 2023, 19:08
Opinion
Scotland's best chance at slaying the Pool B giants
Scotland's will go as underdogs into their Rugby World Cup opener with the defending champions but they have enough in their game …
Ben Smith
03 Sep 2023, 23:48
Why Antoine Dupont is 'not worried' for All Blacks ahead of Rugby World Cup
Despite suffering a 35-7 defeat to South Africa on the eve of the World Cup, France star Antoine Dupont is "not worried" for the A…
Ben Smith
02 Sep 2023, 19:24
'Urgent' change required for NZR's 'not fit for purpose' operating model
An independent review into New Zealand Rugby's (NZR) operating structure has revealed that significant changes are required releas…
Ben Smith
30 Aug 2023, 23:29
France midfielder Danty in doubt for All Blacks
France have been dealt another blow before their Rugby World Cup begins with star midfielder Jonathan Danty in doubt for the opene…
Ben Smith
30 Aug 2023, 20:55
Opinion
The frontrunners for World Player of the Year ahead of the Rugby World Cup
With the Six Nations having been completed in February and the Rugby Championship decided in late July, the early contenders for W…
Ben Smith
30 Aug 2023, 18:39
'There is a little part of me': NRL star Nathan Cleary on the thought of a code switch
Two-time Premiership winner and NSW Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has shared his thoughts openly on rugby union and what appeals to…
Ben Smith
29 Aug 2023, 17:54
'Horrible feeling': Sam Cane says 'time will tell' whether Springboks loss was beneficial
All Blacks captain Sam Cane says the team was digesting a 'horrible feeling' as they arrived in Germany for the pre-World Cup camp…
Ben Smith
28 Aug 2023, 23:50
