Analysis: How Faf de Klerk blows up set-piece plays before they even get started
The sheer speed at which he takes away space and time often limits the opposition, and can still hurt even if he doesn't force an …
Ben Smith
02 Sep 2019, 2:33
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.
Same old recipe sinks the Wallabies but it won't be so easy to replicate at the World Cup
The All Blacks 36-0 thumping over the Wallabies was a direct turnaround from the result in Perth but the recipe was the same as ol…
Ben Smith
19 Aug 2019, 18:27
Analysis: How Nic White's recycle speed set the tempo and exposed tired All Black forwards
The Exeter Chiefs’ halfback’s game was a masterclass showing for a playmaking nine, and he has to be one of the cornerstones o…
Ben Smith
13 Aug 2019, 1:00
The most radical change to All Blacks' rugby this World Cup cycle under Steve Hansen
The All Blacks, long the pioneers of attacking rugby, are well known to favour scoring tries. This hasn’t changed much. What has…
Ben Smith
05 Aug 2019, 0:31
Analysis: How the Springboks shut down the All Blacks' attack and delivered a historical defensive performance
The Springboks aggressive defence looked much more assured this time round, which in the end delivered a historically good output.…
Ben Smith
29 Jul 2019, 10:05
Analysis: The All Blacks' 11th hour innovation to kill off Northern Hemisphere line speed
Fast forward to the first All Blacks test of 2019 and it seems as if lessons from that night are shaping some new ideas on the eve…
Ben Smith
23 Jul 2019, 12:40
The Wallabies are terrible and it has nothing to do with Folau
Cheika spoke of being ‘happy with a lot of things’, ‘good defence’ and ‘picking apart the Springboks’ in what was near…
Ben Smith
22 Jul 2019, 7:39
Analysis: England's Rugby World Cup game plan explained
If England captures their second World Cup with this strategy, it will prove that rugby can still be won playing with traditional …
Ben Smith
21 Jul 2019, 8:47
Analysis: Why this is the worst tactical kick in rugby and hurts every team that uses it
What qualifies as a ‘good’ kicking game has changed over the last 10 years as teams skew towards more contestable kicks at the…
Ben Smith
27 May 2019, 2:11
Analysis: Three Glasgow plays that swung the Pro14 final in Leinster's favour
It doesn’t make the loss any easier knowing that they could have won it, but Glasgow will be left to rue some basic mistakes whe…
Ben Smith
26 May 2019, 5:53
The modern-day midfielder - how rugby's most demanding position is asking for more
The modern-day midfielder, in particular the outside centre, has been the subject of transformation in the last decade morphing in…
Ben Smith
23 May 2019, 0:41
Analysis: The Exeter Chiefs have invented rugby's newest attacking structure that might double the size of coaching playbooks
The Chiefs have shown a willingness to try new schemes, finding the balance between old school grit and innovative new plays. Thi…
Ben Smith
22 May 2019, 3:45
Handre Pollard's departure from South African rugby will hopefully see him realise his potential
Pollard’s ability is unquestionable but he is not heading to Montpellier as the finished product. South African rugby has failed…
Ben Smith
16 May 2019, 2:18
Where to now for Leinster as the 'Drive for Five' continues
There isn’t going to be an attritional decline for this superpower of English rugby for at least three more seasons, which means…
Ben Smith
15 May 2019, 3:35
Don't put too much weight on Bulls thrashing in the Mo'unga versus Barrett debate
Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga delivered a fine performance against the hapless Bulls in Pretoria, bagging a personal tally of…
Ben Smith
13 May 2019, 2:13
Leinster were simply bashed out of the European final by Saracens' domineering defence
Saracens’ defence was truly ferocious in every way, eating up space and bashing Blue at every opportunity. The only time Leinste…
Ben Smith
12 May 2019, 2:14
RugbyPass April Player of the Month - Ardie Savea
The Hurricanes wouldn’t be where they are this season without talismanic leader Ardie Savea, who is making a strong case as the …
Ben Smith
07 May 2019, 0:12
Analysis: Aaron Smith is undoubtedly the All Blacks' best halfback option
His season so far has been disrupted by All Black-resting protocols, but his performance against the Chiefs was critical to poweri…
Ben Smith
06 May 2019, 3:07
South African teams are no closer to winning a Super Rugby title as drought enters ninth year
While Rassie Erasmus praised the early season form as being test-match like due to the prevalence of high percentage of territoria…
Ben Smith
30 Apr 2019, 2:56
Battling Harlequins fall just short as Clermont Auvergne set up all-French final
Harlequins could not stop Clermont Auvergne from setting up an all-French European Challenge Cup final with La Rochelle as they we…
Ben Smith
20 Apr 2019, 20:29
