What Sam Cane told his team after opening quarter stalemate against Italy
Sam Cane spoke about his message to his team after a tepid opening quarter as they tried to get their attack firing, with an empha…
Ben Smith
06 Nov 2021, 20:26
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.
'As a prop, that's a dream': Daunting Wallaby pack awaits Scotland
Taniela Tupou is excited about the prospect of linking up with the pair, saying that it is a 'dream' scenario to have the power of…
Ben Smith
03 Nov 2021, 20:36
Analysis
Wales' strategy that proved fatal against the All Blacks
Wales finished with a dominant tackle percentage of just two percent in the game, as well as 28 missed attempts as their defence s…
Ben Smith
01 Nov 2021, 20:49
'Came of age in that third quarter': Will Jordan earns Foster's trust
All Black flyer Will Jordan continued his blistering try-scoring pace in Cardiff, coming up with a stunning long-range individual …
Ben Smith
31 Oct 2021, 0:28
'Ironically, we were a bit rusty': All Blacks delighted after final quarter rampage
Captain Sam Whitelock was happy with the team's performance after they took the lead in the third minute and never looked back, wo…
Ben Smith
30 Oct 2021, 22:24
'It's not a fluke': Foster explains the key to Beauden Barrett's intercepting ability
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has put down Beauden Barrett's ability to make momentum-swinging intercepts down to his 'freakish…
Ben Smith
30 Oct 2021, 21:01
'I didn't train that well this week': Beauden Barrett's admission after emotional 100th test
Beauden Barrett didn't take long to make a mark in his 100th test for the All Blacks, grabbing the first try of the match after in…
Ben Smith
30 Oct 2021, 18:05
Analysis
How Quade Cooper adapted to the Wallabies' weekly opposition
The 33-year-old playmaker has played his role perfectly to provide stability, control and sound decision-making to Australia's att…
Ben Smith
19 Oct 2021, 1:11
'Likely to happen': Rennie explains how Cooper and O'Connor will fit
The Wallabies clash against Japan this weekend falls outside the November window that requires clubs to release players for intern…
Ben Smith
18 Oct 2021, 0:14
'Absolute magician': Dan Carter reveals the best coach he ever had
All Black legend Dan Carter was a key part of many successful teams over his career, winning Super Rugby titles under Robbie Deans…
Ben Smith
17 Oct 2021, 19:45
Ian Foster wants 'hesitant' All Blacks to react a lot quicker on the field
The All Blacks have been in camp on the Sunshine Coast reflecting on their completed Rugby Championship campaign where they finish…
Ben Smith
17 Oct 2021, 0:45
'You become a bit of a critic': Dane Coles on fixing All Blacks' set-piece woes
He described himself as a fan watching the games, getting caught up in the emotion and ebb and flow of the games, while being 'pro…
Ben Smith
16 Oct 2021, 19:33
'I had one of my worst performances in the black jersey': Dan Carter's post-Lions lesson
His next start was against the Springboks in Cape Town which Carter called a 'reality check' as he was soon 'brought back down to …
Ben Smith
16 Oct 2021, 18:51
Analysis
The All Blacks' same option-based attack plans didn't work that well
In tight test matches where counter-attacking opportunities dry up, the All Blacks will need to have a clinical set-piece attackin…
Ben Smith
12 Oct 2021, 16:32
'My mindset hasn't changed': Rennie wants home-based Wallabies
The selection of European-based players Will Skelton, Tolu Latu and Rory Arnold in the Wallabies squad for the November end-of-yea…
Ben Smith
10 Oct 2021, 2:45
Analysis
When you need him the most, Ardie Savea will be there
Even in losing sides, Ardie Savea always remains one of the best players on the park.
Ben Smith
05 Oct 2021, 20:07
What everyone doesn't get about beating the All Blacks
Every team wants to do it. At least, they think they want to. When they achieve it, the outpouring of emotion is amazing.
Ben Smith
04 Oct 2021, 19:18
Opinion
Springboks' win for the ages a taste of their real identity
There was the typical scrummaging, mauling and balanced kicking, but with the pace of the game, there was finally the intensity th…
Ben Smith
02 Oct 2021, 23:39
'We think we are the best in the world': Pollard holds belief in aerial plan
The strategy did pay off early in the sixth minute when George Bridge dropped an uncontested spiralling high ball near his try lin…
Ben Smith
29 Sep 2021, 18:04
'I'm pretty sure it is a tactic': Boks' stalling theatrics deliberate
The game against the Springboks was noticeably slow, with a total of 26 penalties creating a stop-start affair that became a set-p…
Ben Smith
26 Sep 2021, 22:25
