Redpath to success
Scotland's seemingly hopeless search for a permanent midfield fixture may finally be over.
Ben Smith
07 Feb 2021, 0:14
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.
Mo'unga, McKenzie, then who? The increasingly desperate search to find the next great All Black first-five
New Zealand's greatest ever crop of first-fives surfaced during the 2010s as each Super Rugby franchise, at any given time, laid c…
Ben Smith
13 Dec 2020, 23:42
Ferocious Pumas
Right from the third minute of Argentina's win over New Zealand, the Pumas' intent was clear.
Ben Smith
20 Nov 2020, 17:24
Hard truths
The All Blacks’ dominance is slipping away and the NZ youth may not be ready for the challenge ahead.
Ben Smith
17 Nov 2020, 16:40
Defensive horror show
After two relatively safe showings, the Wallabies' defence fell apart in Sydney. What went wrong?
Ben Smith
03 Nov 2020, 1:14
Power transition
The All Blacks changed tack and used their ball carriers to overwhelm the Wallabies in Bledisloe II.
Ben Smith
19 Oct 2020, 8:42
Same old All Blacks
Despite a new head coach, not much has changed for the All Blacks, tactically speaking.
Ben Smith
15 Oct 2020, 17:03
The key ingredient the Wallabies must take out of their recipe to avoid another Bledisloe disaster
The question the Wallabies must ask is, how much ball-in-hand rugby do they want to play? Because too much may play straight into …
Ben Smith
05 Oct 2020, 23:44
The Springboks pattern
Will the Springboks change up their tactics from the World Cup when the Lions come to SA?
Ben Smith
04 Oct 2020, 1:27
Analysis: Finn Russell's trick kick to eliminate Saracens becoming rugby's latest attacking trend
Finn Russell has always been an avid user of short attacking kicks to unlock a defence, but the method in which Racing opened up S…
Ben Smith
26 Sep 2020, 22:12
What Handre Pollard's injury means for the Springboks ahead of a challenging international calendar
Uncertainty surrounds what shape the Springboks will be in once the Rugby Championship commences - not just from a depth point of …
Ben Smith
14 Sep 2020, 2:11
Aerial battle
Why Gatland’s tactics for South Africa are ready-made for a Lions series win
Ben Smith
07 Sep 2020, 9:29
What the NZR needs to learn from Eddie Jones' England side to turn Super Rugby Aotearoa into something much bigger
That is the same thinking required with Super Rugby and, by extension, Super Rugby Aotearoa. It needs to be the be-all and end-all…
Ben Smith
14 Jul 2020, 21:55
Analysis: The Premiership-style attack system the Blues are finally mastering
Combined with a sharpened counter-attacking system that also feeds those dangerous backs, the Blues are clicking on all cylinders.
Ben Smith
29 Jun 2020, 22:08
Analysis: The small things Beauden Barrett has brought to the Blues that are bringing big results
It might not seem like he has lit the world on fire, but Beauden Barrett has ignited the Blues backs in his return to Super Rugby.
Ben Smith
23 Jun 2020, 22:21
Super Rugby Aotearoa: Hurricanes player ratings vs Blues
After beating the Hurricanes at home before the season was cancelled, the Blues were looking for back-to-back wins over their Kiwi…
Ben Smith
14 Jun 2020, 2:44
Learning 'how not to lose' will put the Wallabies in a much better place under Dave Rennie
Rennie’s Chiefs and Glasgow Warriors sides were known for running it out of their 22. But they must walk before they run and bui…
Ben Smith
27 May 2020, 1:13
Owen Farrell is guaranteed to start against the Springboks, but the question remains who will be next to him
The one man who will be guaranteed is Owen Farrell, at either 10 or 12, but the big question remains is who is best suited to line…
Ben Smith
13 May 2020, 21:25
Sam Whitelock can't be captain of the All Blacks if he isn't in the team
He will go down as one of the all-time great locks, and few that can match his achievements. But Sam Whitelock can't live off his …
Ben Smith
06 May 2020, 1:38
Analysis: The next generation All Black backline to unlock the Springboks with Super Rugby's latest trend
The All Blacks have no shortage of young backs to build such an attack, with the likes of Jordie Barrett and Braydon Ennor bringin…
Ben Smith
05 May 2020, 1:35
