'All systems are go': Steve Hansen says All Blacks are 'stronger' than 2019 squad
World Cup-winning head coach Steve Hansen has endorsed the current All Blacks squad after they completed their fourth win of the y…
Ben Smith
06 Aug 2023, 23:44
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.
Opinion
The All Blacks who are most at risk of missing out on World Cup squad selection
With the Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup and Bledisloe Cup trophies locked away for another year, Ian Foster and his selectors wil…
Ben Smith
06 Aug 2023, 19:48
'Some sort of monster': Eddie Jones buoyant over Wallabies 6 ft 6 versatile prospect
Despite the back-to-back Bledisloe defeats to the All Blacks, the emergence of Wallabies loose forward prospect Tom Hooper has bee…
Ben Smith
06 Aug 2023, 0:40
'Start dominating': What Sam Cane told his All Black side during Wallabies' onslaught
All Blacks captain Sam Cane had to lead his side out of a 14-point deficit in Dunedin as the Wallabies dominated the first half wi…
Ben Smith
05 Aug 2023, 21:11
'Took a little while': Foster's verdict on All Black debutants Stevenson and Finau
It was a baptism of fire for Ian Foster's new look All Blacks which included two new debutants in a heavily changed line-up for Bl…
Ben Smith
05 Aug 2023, 20:18
'I don't want to go out there and change': Shaun Stevenson's plan for his All Blacks debut
Shaun Stevenson is set to become an All Black after being named in the No 14 jersey to face the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon bu…
Ben Smith
02 Aug 2023, 23:44
'History is full of that': Ian Foster on the new All Black selections and getting 'tripped up'
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has named a new look All Blacks side with three potential debutants as the side prepares to play …
Ben Smith
02 Aug 2023, 23:02
Shaun Stevenson one of three debutants as All Blacks team named for Bledisloe clash
Ian Foster has named his All Blacks side to face the Wallabies in Dunedin in the second Bledisloe Test with a host of changes, inc…
Ben Smith
02 Aug 2023, 20:51
Eddie Jones sticks with young Wallabies team to face the All Blacks again
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has opted to stick by his young halves for the second Bledisloe Test in Dunedin, naming No 9 Tate…
Ben Smith
02 Aug 2023, 18:38
'You've got to see him': The two desperate All Blacks who need to play this week
After another impressive performance against the Wallabies in Melbourne the All Blacks back three combination of Mark Telea, Will …
Ben Smith
01 Aug 2023, 21:15
'Take some risk and change five or six': Ex-All Black calls for mass changes
With the All Blacks securing the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship trophies with the 38-7 win in Melbourne over the Wallabies, …
Ben Smith
01 Aug 2023, 0:00
'I've seen Richie Mo'unga play Tests like that': Eddie Jones' verdict on Carter Gordon's first start
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has compared his new flyhalf Carter Gordon to his All Black counterpart Richie Mo'unga after the …
Ben Smith
29 Jul 2023, 21:34
Opinion
Wallabies player ratings vs New Zealand | Bledisloe Cup
The Wallabies defended stoutly for large periods but a power game from the All Blacks and equally resistant defence kept them ahea…
Ben Smith
29 Jul 2023, 9:28
Opinion
Why a Wallabies win over the All Blacks wouldn't be a shock
Should the All Blacks beat the Wallabies? Yes, they should, but it feels like that every time. It's been three years since their l…
Ben Smith
27 Jul 2023, 18:19
'We might just see him': Shaun Stevenson tipped for All Black debut
Ex-All Black John Kirwan is tipping a debut for Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson as the side prepares to take on the Wallabies at t…
Ben Smith
25 Jul 2023, 20:44
Opinion
What Jones must fix to win back the Bledisloe Cup off the All Blacks
Buoyed by a solid historical record at the MCG, perhaps an early red card to the All Blacks, some fire from younger Wallabies, and…
Ben Smith
23 Jul 2023, 22:06
Five All Blacks released by Foster ahead of Bledisloe series
Five players have been released from Ian Foster's All Blacks squad back to their provincial rugby teams in order to secure more ga…
Ben Smith
19 Jul 2023, 20:17
Boks loose forward trio was 'a bit light' for All Blacks challenge
Marco van Staden was exceptional against Australia but missed out on selection altogether, while Duane Vermeulen and Pieter-Steph …
Ben Smith
18 Jul 2023, 0:10
'His best game for 2 years': Beauden Barrett silenced doubts over All Black fullback role
The debate over whether Will Jordan or Beauden Barrett should be handed the All Blacks No 15 jersey was not settled on Saturday ni…
Ben Smith
17 Jul 2023, 19:57
'Highly unlikely that I will be': Foster makes startling prediction over his All Blacks future
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has weighed in on supposed timelines for the appointment of the All Blacks coaching job for 2024.
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2023, 19:34
