Analysis: How Danny Cipriani found career-best form at Wasps
One would expect replacing Charles Piutau and Kurtley Beale would disrupt the attacking rhythm but the Wasps attack is firing on a…
Ben Smith
24 Jan 2018, 23:51
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: How the Exeter Chiefs are revolutionising the wing position
In the English Premiership, Exeter Chiefs’ wingers are undergoing their own evolution, albeit with slightly less profile but no …
Ben Smith
16 Jan 2018, 18:57
Feature: Lima Sopoaga's legacy in New Zealand
Lima Sopoaga is the latest All Black to depart and join English Premiership side Wasps on a 2-year deal, and at just 26-years old …
Ben Smith
10 Jan 2018, 21:15
Hosea Saumaki 'Tongan Godzilla' joins Sunwolves squad
We labelled the relatively unknown Hosea Saumaki, as 'Japan's next superstar nobody knows about' in November last year and predic…
Ben Smith
09 Jan 2018, 17:17
Analysis: Could Stuart Hogg have scored that try against the All Blacks?
Could Stuart Hogg actually have scored the winner against the All Blacks and made history? We break down the play and conclusively…
Ben Smith
05 Jan 2018, 21:01
Analysis: How Beauden Barrett burns opposition halfbacks
While his personal favourite play might well be the kick-pass, this set piece play would go close. The play is designed for Barret…
Ben Smith
04 Jan 2018, 21:31
Quade Cooper adds fuel to Blues rumour
Each passing week it seems there are signs Quade to the Blues will actually happen.
Ben Smith
28 Dec 2017, 21:52
Australia's Top Super Rugby Rookies of 2017
Australia’s Super sides had a disastrous 2017, losing all 26 matches against their New Zealand counterparts and losing a franchi…
Ben Smith
28 Dec 2017, 19:13
NZ's Top Super Rugby Rookies of 2017
Very rarely does a player come through and get the opportunity to put together a meaningful rookie year in Super Rugby. This is ou…
Ben Smith
27 Dec 2017, 16:21
Analysis: Marcus Smith vs. Christian Lealiifano - The English prodigy against the Wallaby
The 29-year-old Lealiifano put together a vintage man-of-the-match performance in Ulster’s win, but not to be outdone, the 18-ye…
Ben Smith
19 Dec 2017, 22:06
Analysis: How Toulon use their jumbo-sized midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Mathieu Bastareaud
Toulon rely on the brutal running of Bastareaud, and compliment that with the full range of Nonu’s attacking game. This is how t…
Ben Smith
12 Dec 2017, 19:40
Why the Blues should sign Quade Cooper
Could the pairing of Super Rugby's most enigmatic player with its most frustrating team be a match made in heaven?
Ben Smith
04 Dec 2017, 19:08
Analysis: How Rieko Ioane's lethal speed ripped apart Wales
He often makes big plays against the run of play - striking in the moment of instability, which is what makes him so dangerous.
Ben Smith
27 Nov 2017, 21:26
The night Beaudenism became a religion
The dawn of the Barrett era took many by surprise. No established player has had such a rapid ‘second’ ascension and change of…
Ben Smith
22 Nov 2017, 18:31
Analysis: How the All Blacks unleashed Sonny Bill Williams against Scotland
The reality is the role Williams plays in the All Blacks midfield has changed. He is being asked to do different things, most of w…
Ben Smith
20 Nov 2017, 21:54
Analysis: Why the Wallabies need to play Kurtley Beale at 12 against England
With Folau rested for the end of year tour, Beale has been playing fullback. However, if Australia is going to reverse their recen…
Ben Smith
15 Nov 2017, 17:42
Will the Wallabies unleash the Tongan Thor?
YouTube sensation Taniela Tupou, known as the Tongan Thor, will be residentially qualified to play for the Wallabies next week in …
Ben Smith
15 Nov 2017, 15:22
Analysis: Why Aaron Smith is so important to the All Blacks
With nearly half of all All Black tries this season coming from phase-play, one man is at the heart of driving this statistic.
Ben Smith
10 Nov 2017, 12:12
Should the Queensland Reds re-sign Karmichael Hunt?
At 30 years old, Hunt’s career is in the twilight stages after stints in the NRL, AFL, and Super Rugby - but should the Reds thi…
Ben Smith
08 Nov 2017, 16:19
Analysis: How the Wallabies 'fake maul' set up Speight's try
It will be tougher to find & isolate weak defenders like they did on this set piece lineout move, but this play illustrated the Wa…
Ben Smith
07 Nov 2017, 19:40
