Rassie Erasmus curtailed many Springbok careers - now Dave Rennie must do the same
The Wallabies wallowed under Cheika’s eye for so long that the impending culling may take some by surprise – but it will be a …
Ben Smith
21 Apr 2020, 0:47
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.
Analysis: The 'Warrenball' myth and the foundations of the Sexton-Farrell axis
It would be the visitors that played the most expansive rugby over the course of the series, and ironically, the All Blacks who ce…
Ben Smith
19 Apr 2020, 1:46
Time to crack the emergency glass on the All Blacks-Kangaroos hybrid test once sport returns
Controversy sells. Hostility sells. Emotion sells. There are few backstories filled with more hostility and division as the two ru…
Ben Smith
13 Apr 2020, 18:12
The players the Springboks simply cannot be without for the British & Irish Lions tour
Whilst the Springbok pack is vitally important to their set-piece and physicality in close, what really keeps the opposition score…
Ben Smith
12 Apr 2020, 3:06
Analysis: Why Stuart Hogg's shortened Six Nations campaign provides hope for the future
This year's Six Nations campaign has seen Hogg continue his evolution as a player, transitioning from a player that performs feats…
Ben Smith
07 Apr 2020, 1:15
Analysis: The third British & Irish Lions test was designed to be Beauden Barrett's 'Carter '05' moment
With the series on the line, it was time to free the reigning World Player of the Year in the biggest test of his starting career.…
Ben Smith
05 Apr 2020, 3:17
Analysis: The All Blacks' game plan for the 2017 British & Irish Lions that got shelved
As bizarre as the assertion may sound to New Zealanders, the Lions played far more attacking width in this series around their Sex…
Ben Smith
01 Apr 2020, 19:45
Analysis: The twenty minutes of baiting from Alun Wyn Jones that led to Kyle Sinckler's demise
What would transgress in the second half was a huge momentum swing in Wales favour off the back of a targeted period of off-the-ba…
Ben Smith
03 Mar 2020, 22:01
Analysis: How England exploited the systemic risk in Ireland's defence… again
With Rob Kearney replaced by the younger, more agile, excitement-machine Jordan Larmour, Ireland haven’t changed the system.
Ben Smith
26 Feb 2020, 0:55
Analysis: Why Adam Hastings has proved Scotland will be fine without Finn Russell
After two key clashes, Hastings has handled the promotion remarkably well. His direction at 10 was brilliant in Dublin and his com…
Ben Smith
12 Feb 2020, 20:00
The glaringly obvious problem in Scotland's game plan that has to stop
In both of these losses, there are similar skeletons buried in the grave, and if you rewind to last year’s tournament you will f…
Ben Smith
10 Feb 2020, 19:09
Analysis: Why did the 'greatest set-piece play of all-time' work for the 2000 All Blacks?
During the second test of the 2000 Bledisloe Cup series, the All Blacks pulled an elaborate wrap-play followed by a double-bluff s…
Ben Smith
15 Jan 2020, 1:41
The costliest mistake in the history of Rugby
The failure to understand how the Internet could shape the sport and play a role in its future is one of the costliest mistakes in…
Ben Smith
11 Jan 2020, 23:19
Why France should break protocol for Crusaders' coach Scott Robertson
There wouldn’t be a side more feared, particularly in New Zealand where many thought he should have got the All Blacks’ job, t…
Ben Smith
09 Jan 2020, 1:15
Munster's European dream at risk in Paris against high-powered Racing attack
The doggedly tough side has a history of knocking off more fancied opponents and dragging them into bare-knuckled slugfests in the…
Ben Smith
07 Jan 2020, 23:05
How will the Hurricanes bounce back from the worst off-season in history?
The perfect storm swirling has understandably lowered expectations for the Hurricanes heading into 2020 after losing Beauden Barre…
Ben Smith
05 Jan 2020, 21:43
The unknown players who are 'moonshot' picks to be All Blacks before the next World Cup
As the cream of each yearly crop rises through the system, some continue growing more than others. Some benefit from timing, comin…
Ben Smith
08 Dec 2019, 21:52
Analysis: What the All Blacks search for in a 10 compared to the rest of the world
There are many other quality playmakers but only in New Zealand are they so prioritized and sought after at the flyhalf position. …
Ben Smith
04 Dec 2019, 22:58
Analysis: What the Northampton Saints took from Wasps to build the Premiership's most prolific attack
Betting on youth and moving towards a fast-paced skill-based game has been a success for the Northampton Saints that is heading fo…
Ben Smith
03 Dec 2019, 0:36
Rugby Australia's impending financial crunch won't be the death of rugby in Australia
Those asking how would this potentially fit down the line side-by-side with Super Rugby are asking the wrong question. Wouldn't it…
Ben Smith
26 Nov 2019, 17:15
