'He asked them twice to kick it': Ian Foster on Foley's costly game management
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster believed a very clear call was made from Mathieu Raynal to hand over possession
Ben Smith
15 Sep 2022, 21:51
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.
Ian Foster names new All Black back row for first Bledisloe test
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has named a new look back row, as expected, for the first Bledisloe test at Marvel Stadium in Mel…
Ben Smith
12 Sep 2022, 22:21
'Things can change quickly': Richie McCaw throws support behind Cane and Foster
Former All Black captain Richie McCaw has thrown his support behind Sam Cane and Ian Foster while recalling the period before the …
Ben Smith
12 Sep 2022, 18:06
'Hopefully the ball doesn't get to him': All Blacks defence coach wants to shut down Wallaby threat
The Fijian-born winger has scored a four tries against the All Blacks in his career, with two in 2020 over the first two tests in …
Ben Smith
12 Sep 2022, 0:37
Opinion
Rugby Australia's NRL cash could be used to find a flyhalf
Just because it hasn't happened recently doesn't it mean it can't for a League halfback or five-eighth. Former Brisbane Bronco Ber…
Ben Smith
07 Sep 2022, 23:10
Opinion
The Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane combination is turning into the All Blacks' best weapon
Rieko Ioane's combination with Will Jordan on the right wing is turning into the most potent pairing the All Blacks have.
Ben Smith
05 Sep 2022, 23:47
Australia drop to record low as World Rugby rankings released
After suffering a 24-8 defeat in Sydney to South Africa, the Wallabies have dropped to a new low in World Rugby's rankings.
Ben Smith
05 Sep 2022, 21:11
Opinion
The raged-up Springboks find their intensity again and enter the box seat
The shame is that the rage-Boks play at a level above what you usually see, the enigma with them is why they can't deliver that in…
Ben Smith
05 Sep 2022, 0:03
'Pure and simple': Cheika on where Pumas went wrong in Hamilton
Head coach Michael Cheika was frank about his side's performance, which he described as 'below par' just as the All Blacks lifted.
Ben Smith
04 Sep 2022, 21:13
Jason Ryan on what has impressed him from the young All Black front row
The All Blacks have stuck with an emerging front row over the last two tests and they once again delivered an impressing showing i…
Ben Smith
04 Sep 2022, 1:52
'Our backline was keen to play': Rieko Ioane on his starring performance against Los Pumas
All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane has continued his blistering form in Hamilton after winning the man-of-the-match award against the S…
Ben Smith
03 Sep 2022, 20:18
'He responded to the criticism': Sir John Kirwan on Sam Cane's latest performance
Former All Black wing John Kirwan has praised captain Sam Cane for one of his best performances in a 'long, long time' as the All …
Ben Smith
03 Sep 2022, 19:57
Ian Foster explains the four changes to the bench including Codie Taylor
The Crusaders No 2 has been replaced this week by Dane Coles in one of four changes to the bench made by the All Blacks.
Ben Smith
31 Aug 2022, 22:32
Opinion
The slight tactical fix for the All Blacks to make is an easy one
With only 15 kicks out of hand, the All Blacks need to find a better balance to vary their game and looking for more attacking kic…
Ben Smith
31 Aug 2022, 20:22
'When the steak is being served, you've got to eat': Ex-Bok coaches dissect Wallabies loss
Former head coach Nick Mallett and former assistant coach Swys de Bruin shared their views on SuperSport’s Final Whistle.
Ben Smith
31 Aug 2022, 0:31
'How can I say this the right way?': Bok prop addresses Wallabies' gamesmanship
Kitshoff said the Springboks aren’t looking for ‘shortcuts’ and want to play the game within the laws.
Ben Smith
29 Aug 2022, 21:06
Opinion
Nic White rolled the dice just like De Klerk and the smarter pest won
De Klerk went after White multiple times and it backfired. Plain and simple. There is no one to blame but De Klerk for the yellow …
Ben Smith
29 Aug 2022, 0:03
All Blacks boosted by the return of Retallick
The All Blacks will welcome back lock Brodie Retallick into the squad ahead of the second test against Argentina in Hamilton this …
Ben Smith
28 Aug 2022, 19:04
Opinion
Argentina's win a carbon copy of their last win over the All Blacks
Argentina’s second ever victory over the All Blacks, and first over New Zealand on home soil, was almost a carbon copy of their …
Ben Smith
27 Aug 2022, 23:08
Ian Foster on what he expects from Cheika-coached Pumas
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is expecting a different Argentinian side under Michael Cheika to the one they faced last year.
Ben Smith
24 Aug 2022, 23:18
