Ex-Ireland players assess the Springboks and squash doubts over 'big teams'
Three former Irish internationals have shared their views after watching the Boks dismantle New Zealand at Twickenham.
Ben Smith
28 Aug 2023, 22:25
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.
'A world of good': Steve Hansen's reaction to the All Blacks historic loss
Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen says that New Zealand will come out 'sharper' in two weeks' time after the Twickenham le…
Ben Smith
28 Aug 2023, 19:08
'Red card and there goes the game': Foster reflects on All Blacks' record loss
The All Blacks head coach hasn't lost any confidence despite a 'rusty' performance and the lopsided final scoreline, with the 'per…
Ben Smith
26 Aug 2023, 22:48
Opinion
The All Blacks coaches owe the South Africans a big thank you
The All Blacks were handed the unwanted record of a 28-point defeat as South Africa looked sensational against 14-men to claim the…
Ben Smith
26 Aug 2023, 19:02
Jerome Kaino says All Blacks are facing 'Dan Carter' level talent with Dupont
When the All Blacks face France in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup, it will be the third time that they will see 2021 Worl…
Ben Smith
22 Aug 2023, 18:50
'We’ll pick our best team available': All Blacks confirm they want to dominate Boks
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan has no qualms about sending out the best players against the Springboks this week as the tea…
Ben Smith
20 Aug 2023, 21:23
Opinion
What the Springboks must do to end the All Blacks' undefeated streak
Like the Springboks side who became engaged last year in Sydney to bully the Wallabies, if South Africa find that enraged persona …
Ben Smith
20 Aug 2023, 19:43
Jaminet powers France to comfortable win over Fiji
France have seen off Fiji by 34-17 at Stade de la Beaujoire in their second-to-last Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture.
Ben Smith
19 Aug 2023, 23:36
'Stung the hell out of me': Sam Cane explains very clearly his role for the All Blacks
Cane had massive shoes to fill as the heir to Richie McCaw as the All Blacks openside flanker in 2016, public pressure that only i…
Ben Smith
19 Aug 2023, 20:17
Watch: South Africa's new Kolbe-clone JC Mars stuns England U18
South Africa U18 have added more misery onto England rugby with a 33-19 win over the England U18 side in Paarl.
Ben Smith
19 Aug 2023, 18:32
Analysis
Romain Ntamack is like Pippen to Dupont's Jordan
Romain Ntamack does not get the same recognition as Dupont, such is the No 9's talent, he is so good he overshadows one of the bes…
Ben Smith
15 Aug 2023, 22:26
Injury concerns for France's star a month out from World Cup opener against All Blacks
France are sweating on the fitness of star flyhalf Romain Ntamack after he was forced from the field against Scotland in the 30-27…
Ben Smith
13 Aug 2023, 23:13
Analysis
Andrew Kellaway has this Cullen-like trait but the Wallabies are wasting it
One less heralded move, but perhaps the most valuable find for Jones, was the return of Andrew Kellaway and continuation of his tr…
Ben Smith
13 Aug 2023, 21:07
Opinion
The All Blacks should throw a 'C' team out at Twickenham
If there was a perfect time to take a loss, it would be now, in a meaningless exhibition match on the eve of the Rugby World Cup t…
Ben Smith
12 Aug 2023, 22:11
'We need people like him': Gatland's take on Owen Farrell's potential ban after red card
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said the right decision was made on Owen Farrell's red card but hoped that England's captain would…
Ben Smith
12 Aug 2023, 17:33
Opinion
Final chapter of this Boks' era has been written
Looking back on this era, winning the World Cup did not bring world dominance for South African rugby. It will have to go down as …
Ben Smith
09 Aug 2023, 21:03
Analysis
Why Jesse Kriel is the secret weapon the Boks need against Ireland
It was not Am who played in the No 13 jersey that night, but Jesse Kriel, who now stands to take over as the first choice outside …
Ben Smith
08 Aug 2023, 22:12
'We'll get the tag again': Ex-Bok coach's warning after dirty off-the-ball play against Pumas
Ex-Springbok assistant coach Swys de Bruin has warned the Springboks not to carry on like they did in Buenos Aires against the Pum…
Ben Smith
07 Aug 2023, 19:42
Opinion
The All Blacks are comfortably the world's third best team right now
Both of them have logged wins over all of the Southern Hemisphere powers over this cycle, France has a 5-2 record against the Rugb…
Ben Smith
07 Aug 2023, 16:15
All Blacks reveal 33-man Rugby World Cup squad to head to France
The All Blacks have named their 33-man squad to head to France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a split of 18 forwards and 15 bac…
Ben Smith
07 Aug 2023, 0:37
