Opinion
Super Round flop the latest copycat move chasing NRL's tail
The NRL as an entertainment product has taken the lead over the last decade, but the gulf is widening. The narratives build quickl…
Ben Smith
25 Apr 2022, 20:13
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.
'We think he can get his game to the next level': Glowing endorsement for Hurricanes midfield
The Hurricanes overcame a 17-deficit to build a 30-17 win over Brad Thorn's side, in part due to the defence of their new midfield…
Ben Smith
23 Apr 2022, 20:02
'They're gonna cause a few New Zealand teams headaches'
Expectations for the Fijian Drua may have been low heading into the Super Round against New Zealand's number one team on the ladde…
Ben Smith
23 Apr 2022, 19:05
'It was't all doom and gloom for us': Blues happy with result after Drua surprise
Blues first five Beauden Barrett likened the Fijian Drua to the Fijian national side after his side's 35-18 win in Melbourne.
Ben Smith
23 Apr 2022, 17:50
'Don't get too arrogant': Springboks head coach Nienaber on his side's biggest challenge
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has said his side must build in improve in 2022 or risk a 'disaster' with just two seasons …
Ben Smith
12 Apr 2022, 1:40
Opinion
The difference between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders
It is clear that the Hurricanes as a wider organisation, do not have the best systems in place. All five New Zealand teams have go…
Ben Smith
12 Apr 2022, 0:18
'You take the shot at goal': Hurricanes late game management under the microscope
The Hurricanes late game decision-making has come under the microscope after turning down a would-be three points with time up on …
Ben Smith
10 Apr 2022, 21:24
'They panicked': Former All Blacks on why the Chiefs were caught off guard
Three former All Blacks have identified what went wrong for the Chiefs in their first ever scoreless match in Super Rugby against …
Ben Smith
10 Apr 2022, 19:03
Analysis
The two touches by Beauden Barrett that showed how high his rugby IQ is
The Blues built a steady first half lead on the back of incredible defence before Barrett came up with the play that broke the Chi…
Ben Smith
09 Apr 2022, 20:16
'Isn't looking good': Chiefs preparing for loss of All Black centre to injury
Lienert-Brown was attempting to steal the ball at a ruck over Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta when an innocous clean out by Sam No…
Ben Smith
09 Apr 2022, 19:18
The Chiefs on what went wrong in scoreless loss to the Blues
The home side started with next to no possession in the first 20 minutes which saw the Blues race out to a 13-0 lead, while the Ch…
Ben Smith
09 Apr 2022, 17:59
The Highlanders' bizarre defensive tactic that was exploited by Crusaders
What turned out to be one of the defining moments in the game was a set-piece play thirty minutes into the first half that led to …
Ben Smith
05 Apr 2022, 18:30
Analysis
The aggressive Hurricanes defence needs a stronger foundation
The Hurricanes came up with mixed results on defence against the Chiefs as they came out looking to take the intensity up a notch …
Ben Smith
03 Apr 2022, 23:39
Opinion
Hurricanes player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific
They carried a 15-13 lead into halftime but they softened up and let the Chiefs take the lead in the second. Giving away six penal…
Ben Smith
03 Apr 2022, 0:47
'Na, never. Not even at under 8s': Blues hooker's historic night out
Blues hooker Kurt Eklund was the beneficiary of the firing maul, scoring a hat-trick in the 46-16 win over Moana Pasifika at Eden …
Ben Smith
02 Apr 2022, 15:48
'Not everybody scores that under the posts': Caleb Clarke can bring back what All Blacks miss
Blues left wing Caleb Clarke demonstrated his power game against the Highlanders, exploding through multiple defenders to score a …
Ben Smith
30 Mar 2022, 17:43
Jordie Barrett set for positional switch for Hurricanes clash with Chiefs
Head coach Jason Holland has named Barrett at second-five to take on the Chiefs' All Black pairing of Quinn Tupaea and Anton Liene…
Ben Smith
30 Mar 2022, 16:53
Analysis
There aren't really dominant defences in New Zealand's Super Rugby teams
The defences in New Zealand, for whatever reason, are built to bend with the aim of not breaking. They make a ton of tackles with …
Ben Smith
29 Mar 2022, 22:06
Opinion
Blues player ratings vs Moana Pasifika | Super Rugby Pacific
The Tuesday night fixture became a battle of the packs as the Blues found immediate dominance at scrum time with their experienced…
Ben Smith
29 Mar 2022, 3:14
Sam Cane pinpoints the breaking point for the Chiefs against the Crusaders
The Chiefs battled to keep themselves in the game against the Crusaders, who were in front from the opening score, but the home si…
Ben Smith
26 Mar 2022, 23:49
