The Bulls have found a new weapon but regaining South African power still a tall ask
With the Bulls’ coaching staff not being appointed until mid-way through the pre-season, even with a large amount of quality sig…
Ben Smith
17 Feb 2019, 22:03
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: Will the Blues' backs ever get the ball?
The Blues were dominant at times and had the Crusaders for the taking multiple times and failed to do so making this a hard pill t…
Ben Smith
16 Feb 2019, 23:09
Analysis: Quade Cooper's Super return about subtleties not flashy bag of tricks
It wasn’t the same Quade that spearheaded the Reds in 2017, who had to try to do everything himself, it was all about the subtle…
Ben Smith
15 Feb 2019, 18:37
Time is a luxury the Queensland Reds need under Brad Thorn
Brad Thorn’s Ballymore shake-up enters its second season, with the young head coach looking to build on the first season that st…
Ben Smith
13 Feb 2019, 20:35
The path to the Hurricanes' second title does not go through Christchurch - Super Rugby 2019 Preview
The path to a second title does not go through Christchurch, if the Hurricanes can force the Crusaders to come north in the playof…
Ben Smith
12 Feb 2019, 18:25
Analysis: What Wales can learn from the All Blacks in order to beat England
Wales in Cardiff could be the only thing standing between England and a Grand Slam. Scotland, despite having beaten England last y…
Ben Smith
12 Feb 2019, 3:00
Analysis: What went wrong for Scotland? The failings of a lateral attack
With multiple possessions inside the five in the first half, Scotland could not crack Ireland’s code as wave after wave of attac…
Ben Smith
10 Feb 2019, 0:38
Analysis: England's statement win highlighted the importance of Rob Kearney to Ireland
Ireland’s back three were under pressure constantly, the Stockdale-Henshaw-Earls trio were tested frequently by the kicking game…
Ben Smith
03 Feb 2019, 15:35
Analysis: Why England can't break down Ireland and where the Irish weak spots are
England face a tall order to kick off their Six Nations campaign, up against the reigning Grand Slam champions in Dublin, where th…
Ben Smith
28 Jan 2019, 22:09
Analysis: The Vunipola brothers bring another dimension to Saracens' lineout attack
Saracens used a beautifully executed play with two parts - a loop around and a screen - based around their two primary ball-player…
Ben Smith
08 Jan 2019, 23:46
Counter-attack kings Toulouse will provide test of unpredictability for Leinster
Ugo Mola’s re-born Toulouse side is a dangerous proposition, undefeated since shocking Leinster 28-27 in the first leg of pool p…
Ben Smith
08 Jan 2019, 18:25
Analysis: Faf de Klerk has turned Sale into Premiership contenders
Sale has found a balance and game plan that is able to win against anyone in the competition, with Faf de Klerk a central figure b…
Ben Smith
07 Jan 2019, 2:57
Why hasn't Lima Sopoaga caught fire in his first season with Wasps?
Wasps need to rebuild a system around Sopoaga’s own skills as a ball-playing artist, which is going to take time. The disruption…
Ben Smith
02 Jan 2019, 22:47
Analysis: The Finn Russell-Simon Zebo connection is powering Racing's high-scoring attack
Two superstar Celtic recruits – Finn Russell of Scotland and Simon Zebo of Ireland - are building a stellar connection that is p…
Ben Smith
27 Dec 2018, 1:38
The Jordie Barrett conundrum - a prodigious talent who can't play his natural position
It feels like he has been a regular for years, but the 21-year-old has yet to settle in his preferred position. After committing t…
Ben Smith
18 Dec 2018, 22:30
How Toulouse rebuilt a legitimate European power capable of toppling anyone
Just two years removed from missing the Top 14 playoffs for the first time in 40 years, how did they become a legitimate force in …
Ben Smith
17 Dec 2018, 0:13
The Beauden Barrett 'sabbatical sweepstakes' - the ultimate landing spots for the All Black 10
With only one season to show his wares, the potential landing spot has to have the cash plus the supporting cast to challenge for …
Ben Smith
11 Dec 2018, 21:24
Analysis: How Ireland changed their defensive system to shut down the All Blacks
The defensive scheme Ireland used against the All Blacks is not how they usually defend and not how they played during the Six Nat…
Ben Smith
09 Dec 2018, 22:00
Are schools asking the right questions by boycotting rugby games against St Kents?
St Kentigern will only win if they work hard for it, which is what they have done in the past. Rugby is a character game and alway…
Ben Smith
05 Dec 2018, 0:22
The Barrett-McKenzie dual playmaker system can take the All Blacks' attack to new levels
A partnership between Super Rugby’s most dynamic player and a back-to-back World Rugby Player of the Year has the potential to b…
Ben Smith
01 Dec 2018, 23:52
