'Nearly lost another one': Relieved Blues lament second half slump
With how the Blues have finished games this year, head coach Leon MacDonald admitted his heart rate was once again through the roo…
Ben Smith
26 Mar 2022, 19:15
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.
Beauden Barrett to start as Blues prepare for rematch with Highlanders
The Blues have named Beauden Barrett to start at first five for the first time this year as head coach Leon Macdonald has announce…
Ben Smith
23 Mar 2022, 18:55
Opinion
England don't need Erasmus they already have a World Cup gift
Lost in the hoopla over England's third-place Six Nations finish is the lack of recognition that they already have been given a Wo…
Ben Smith
21 Mar 2022, 13:10
Opinion
Why England have fallen in the Six Nations since 2020
This had enormous benefits for England. They had been already playing together for years, offering a foundation level of chemistry…
Ben Smith
20 Mar 2022, 19:19
'They put us to the sword': Sekope Kepu calls for improved discipline from Moana Pasifika
Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu says the lack of execution in the first half hurt combined with poor discipline his side agains…
Ben Smith
19 Mar 2022, 21:12
'That's the word that sticks out': Aaron Mauger questions Moana Pasifika's mentality
In his post-match assessment of the game, head coach Aaron Mauger questioned the mentality of his side and the lack of intensity a…
Ben Smith
19 Mar 2022, 20:43
Opinion
Early Super Rugby form should promise a shake-up of Foster's All Black backline
If Salesi Rayasi, Leicester Fainga'anuku and Caleb Clarke still find themselves behind George Bridge in the All Blacks pecking ord…
Ben Smith
15 Mar 2022, 23:33
This one game has been three years in the making for France
They have had the talent and power to win the Six Nations title over the last two years, but have stumbled just when everything wa…
Ben Smith
14 Mar 2022, 21:32
'Everyone blames us': Kiwi ref's take on the Ewels' red card
Referee Ben O'Keeffe, a guest panelist on The Breakdown, largely agreed with Kirwan's view and offered in an insight into the proc…
Ben Smith
13 Mar 2022, 23:34
'They are slow': Kiwi ref highlights the concerning trend with New Zealand Super Rugby teams
New Zealand referee Ben O'Keeffe has critiqued the ruck work of the Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific teams from the first four weeks of th…
Ben Smith
13 Mar 2022, 19:47
'That would have killed me': Why Blues head coach MacDonald was finally relieved
The Blues 32-20 win over the Highlanders went over 90-minutes of play as both sides searched for an extra try that would have give…
Ben Smith
12 Mar 2022, 19:30
'12 months ago people were talking about losing records': Young Chiefs side still maturing
The Chiefs had to throw the kitchen sink at the Crusaders to break down their ferocious defence in a final quarter which led to th…
Ben Smith
12 Mar 2022, 19:07
'Exceptional athlete': MacDonald praises Blues 'seriously quick' 22-year-old blindside flanker
The Blues new blindside flanker Taine Plumtree starred in the side's comeback win over the Highlanders, scoring two tries in a bre…
Ben Smith
12 Mar 2022, 18:28
Pablo Matera on how Los Pumas can 'beat all the bigger teams regularly'
The 2021 season was one of the most challenging in Argentina's history as they went through a winless Rugby Championship before a …
Ben Smith
23 Feb 2022, 18:28
Crusader first five Fergus Burke taking his starting opportunity with Mo'unga absent
Burke had his second start of his career against the Hurricanes, but it was the first one against a Kiwi franchise after his game …
Ben Smith
23 Feb 2022, 15:24
'We are looking for him to dominate that 15 position': Tony Brown's high hopes for returning fullback
Highlanders head coach Tony Brown is excited to see fullback Connor Garden-Bachop return to his starting side after a long layoff …
Ben Smith
23 Feb 2022, 14:15
'We knew at some point we were going to beat the All Blacks': Matera on historic 2020 result
The Pumas' 2020 upset over the All Blacks came up where Matera described the feeling within the side and how he had been apart of …
Ben Smith
22 Feb 2022, 19:43
Julian Savea showed why he can make something as an option at 12
While it may be a long shot to suggest Julian Savea will be picked to play for the All Blacks again, in the last twenty minutes ag…
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2022, 14:53
Opinion
The enigma of Finn Russell continues after his Cardiff spiral
The enigma that is Finn Russell showed up again in Cardiff as Scotland fell to Wales, led by Dan Biggar, who is almost the antithe…
Ben Smith
13 Feb 2022, 23:14
Analysis
Ireland have the world's best attack with Johnny Sexton at No 10
If you enjoy beautiful rugby, Ireland are the team to watch - especially with Johnny Sexton at the helm.
Ben Smith
08 Feb 2022, 4:47
