Opinion - Listening to Phil Kearns has become intolerable
Listening to the biased, arrogant and lazy thoughts of Phil Kearns during either a Waratahs or Wallabies game has become intolerab…
Ben Smith
26 Jun 2018, 21:10
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: Is Tom Curry the answer to England's openside problem?
The South Africa series saw a number of experiments by Jones, including trialling a specialist 7 for the whole series in young 20-…
Ben Smith
26 Jun 2018, 0:58
What we learned from the June Internationals
Eddie Jones may have saved his job by avoiding a three-nil sweep in South Africa but now there are glaringly obvious flaws to fix …
Ben Smith
24 Jun 2018, 19:34
The All Blacks went full 'McKenzie' in the third test
On the fast indoor pitch in Dunedin the All Blacks went to width frequently and played an expansive game, in the process unleashed…
Ben Smith
24 Jun 2018, 1:28
Revisiting Danny Cipriani's 2008 Twickenham Bok nightmare
Just a 21-year-old flyhalf finding his feet at international level, he didn’t have the control required that day. His kicks cont…
Ben Smith
22 Jun 2018, 0:09
Five All Blacks that are post-World Cup departure risks
The four-year Rugby World Cup cycle influences nearly everything in the game, from team planning to rights deals to player movemen…
Ben Smith
19 Jun 2018, 23:38
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton strangled Australia out of the second test
With Sexton back in partnership with Murray, the Irish should be heavy favourites to claim a historic 2-1 series victory.
Ben Smith
19 Jun 2018, 0:42
From Rongotai to the All Blacks – Savea’s dream fulfilled
It’s been a magic ride to the top from an underdog school, fulfilling a dream that looked possible from a young age.
Ben Smith
18 Jun 2018, 18:42
Is it time for England to move away from George Ford?
Eddie Jones has persisted with a Ford & Farrell partnership for most of his reign as England’s coach. It has been a maligned arr…
Ben Smith
17 Jun 2018, 22:59
The All Blacks cut France to pieces and they won't be able to put them back together
France’s biggest hope to level the series is treacherous conditions as a leveler, where their brutality-based game can flourish …
Ben Smith
14 Jun 2018, 0:22
Pocock's herculean performance and the scariest Wallaby back row for Ireland
With this double-headed snake, the Wallabies openside duo is able to just focus in on what they each do best. It seems that by not…
Ben Smith
11 Jun 2018, 23:51
How did England blow a 21-point lead over South Africa? Faf De Klerk and Willie Le Roux, that's how
It took two of South Africa’s overseas Premiership stars to dig them out of an early hole against England.
Ben Smith
10 Jun 2018, 1:54
Australia vs Ireland - Wallaby Player Ratings
The returning David Pocock was Australia's match-winner as they handed Ireland a first defeat in over a year with an 18-9 victory …
Ben Smith
09 Jun 2018, 8:33
Time is running out for Michael Cheika
It’s time this team showed up to prove that whatever Cheika is doing, works. Because it certainly hasn’t been.
Ben Smith
07 Jun 2018, 20:11
Pete Samu not the only one Australian rugby has missed
Digby Ioane’s criticism aimed at Michael Cheika for ‘missing’ on Pete Samu is a little bit misguided - one man can’t be re…
Ben Smith
06 Jun 2018, 23:21
The international game is becoming more about power than nationalism
World Rugby makes eligibility laws and Unions find ways to abide by them, whether those ways are righteous or not. Brad Shields wa…
Ben Smith
06 Jun 2018, 18:22
Are the All Blacks ripe for the picking?
Things are starting to feel like 2009 when France came under the radar and beat a young All Blacks side 27-22 on a cold winter’s…
Ben Smith
06 Jun 2018, 1:21
What if the Queensland Reds had signed Kalyn Ponga?
The 20-year-old is proving his talent is worth every dollar paid. However, it wasn’t too long ago he was playing the other rugby…
Ben Smith
29 May 2018, 19:26
Why Owen Farrell was the difference in the Premiership final
Mako Vunipola was awarded the man of the match for his physical dominance in the 2018 Aviva Premiership final, but the play of ano…
Ben Smith
27 May 2018, 0:47
The battle for Super Rugby power - The Crusaders just taught the Hurricanes a lesson in wet weather rugby
In a battle for Super Rugby power, the Crusaders delivered a crushing blow to the Hurricanes, claiming a 24-13 win and denting the…
Ben Smith
25 May 2018, 19:50
