Scott Barrett moves back to lock for All Blacks as Papalii handed No 6 jersey
Ian Foster and his selectors have kept the All Blacks starting XV largely in tact for the second test as they look to close out th…
Ben Smith
06 Jul 2022, 20:06
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.
Ireland team named to play the All Blacks
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his side for the first test at Eden Park which includes 10 starters who beat the All Bla…
Ben Smith
29 Jun 2022, 23:32
Ian Foster explains why Scott Barrett has been picked at No 6
Crusaders lock Scott Barrett has been named at No 6 for the All Blacks for the first time since the 2019 semi-final defeat to Engl…
Ben Smith
29 Jun 2022, 22:44
All Blacks draft in replacement winger for Will Jordan
The All Blacks have called on Blues winger Mark Telea to join the squad ahead of the first test against Ireland at Eden Park after…
Ben Smith
29 Jun 2022, 22:11
All Blacks dealt another blow as Will Jordan tests positive for Covid
Will Jordan is the sixth member of the All Blacks camp to test positive for Covid after two players and three coaches were hit wit…
Ben Smith
27 Jun 2022, 19:20
Analysis
The systemic weakness in Ireland's watertight defence the All Blacks must target
Ireland's watertight defence has been a hallmark of their game under Andy Farrell, conceding just four tries in this year's Six Na…
Ben Smith
23 Jun 2022, 0:16
Opinion
Ireland will face a vastly different All Black team this time around
The All Blacks side that will face Ireland in the first test will not be anywhere near the same as the one that was beaten in Dubl…
Ben Smith
22 Jun 2022, 2:34
'Give him the nod': Why David Havili deserves the All Blacks No 12 jersey
Crusaders second five-eighth David Havili may have played himself back into the starting No 12 role for the All Blacks based on hi…
Ben Smith
21 Jun 2022, 20:36
'If needed, I'm there': Leicester Fainga'anuku ready for All Blacks challenge
Uncapped wing Leicester Fainga'anuku is excited to bring something new to the All Blacks camp as the side prepares to face Ireland…
Ben Smith
21 Jun 2022, 17:05
Opinion
The Blues saved the worst for last but it won't change many All Black selections
Mo'unga, Havili and Goodhue would be your 10-12-13 All Blacks combination if you were picking solely off this game. However, it wo…
Ben Smith
19 Jun 2022, 20:50
Overlooked Crusaders' back row play their part in stunning the Blues
Crusaders No 8 Grace was pushing for a recall after being selected in the squad in 2020 and debuting that year off the bench again…
Ben Smith
18 Jun 2022, 22:25
'Steph Curry for us': Richie Mo'unga compared to NBA superstar by Robertson
Whilst it was up front at set-piece time that spoiled the Blues' possessions, it was the Crusaders' game drivers that piled on the…
Ben Smith
18 Jun 2022, 21:11
Opinion
The final that Super Rugby Pacific needs
The all-Kiwi showdown between the Blues and Crusaders will be played in front of a sell-out crowd at Eden Park, which will bring s…
Ben Smith
14 Jun 2022, 22:56
'It's a different playing field now': The All Blacks view of Ireland ahead of defining series
The All Blacks believe that they will have to take their game up a notch to defeat an Irish side that has become 'a genuine top co…
Ben Smith
13 Jun 2022, 23:54
'Someone had to miss out': Why Crusaders and Highlanders loosies missed All Blacks cut
The Crusaders and Highlanders failed to earn any All Black selections in the loose forwards in Ian Foster's first squad of 2022 as…
Ben Smith
13 Jun 2022, 18:39
'We've liked Stephen for two or three years': Ian Foster on Perofeta's All Blacks call-up
Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta's rich vein of form has been rewarded with a call-up to the All Blacks squad, but head coach Ian F…
Ben Smith
13 Jun 2022, 0:23
Ian Foster explains reasoning behind the All Blacks halfback and front row selections
Both Perenara and Weber were heavily involved in last year's All Black side, starting multiple games each as Aaron Smith stayed be…
Ben Smith
12 Jun 2022, 22:17
Six uncapped players named in the All Blacks squad for Ireland series
The All Blacks squad for the three-match test series with Ireland has been named in Auckland, with Ian Foster and his selectors pi…
Ben Smith
12 Jun 2022, 21:24
Blues won't retreat into their shells against the Crusaders says Barrett
The Blues 20-19 victory over the Brumbies sealed a date with Scott Robertson's Crusaders side in next week's final at Eden Park wh…
Ben Smith
11 Jun 2022, 19:49
'It hasn't excited me': All Blacks boss Ian Foster on New Zealand's midfield options
Ian Foster has opened up about the potential midfield for the All Blacks in 2022, assessing the potential newcomers who are pushin…
Ben Smith
30 May 2022, 18:17
