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Contributors

Sam Smith

Roving reporter and RugbyPass Employee of the Month Runner Up, March 2016. Based in Auckland, New Zealand.

'Both players going a million miles an hour': Why Rieko Ioane's no try was an 'utter farce' of a decision

The Blues' pair of Ioane brothers pulled off what would have been one of the tries of the season against the Highlanders at Eden P…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
14 Mar 2021, 17:04

Watch: Brilliant support line from Rieko Ioane sets the Blues up for their first try of the afternoon

While there were some who had reservations about Rieko Ionae's all but permanent shift from the left wing to the midfield, the 34-…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 22:44

Why Canterbury product Sam Darry made the 'selfish' decision to sign with the Blues

With three All Blacks locks on the books plus two second-rowers who were brought into the NZ squad last season, it's not hard to s…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 17:30

'Perfect example of how not to officiate': Countless questions raised following perplexing TMO call

In Friday night's match between the Crusaders and the Chiefs, there was one particularly confusing refereeing decision made follow…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 16:47

'I'd have that boy in my starting Lions Test team' - Welsh wing icon tips Rees-Zammit for Lions

Welsh wunderkind Louis Rees-Zammit has been tipped by Wales legend Shane Williams for a starting berth on the British and Irish Li…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 15:33

Saracens get it right at the second time of asking in the Championship, beating Jersey in round two

Saracens generated headlines around the rugby world for last weekend's Championship debut loss, but they have beaten Jersey in rou…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 10:31

Racing reportedly poised to sign a Radradra-like NRL try-scoring machine

Semi Radradra was an NRL star at the Eels before successfully moving to union and French club Racing now hope to do the same with …

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 8:28

Watch: Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga'anuku produces early contender for try of the year

Leicester Fainga'anuku has produced an early contender for the try of the year with an acrobatic effort in his side's clash agains…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
13 Mar 2021, 2:00

'We can still run': Blues hit back at South African comparisons made by Highlanders

The Blues have hit back at comparisons between the Auckland side's forward pack and that of South African sides made by the Highla…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
12 Mar 2021, 23:12

'Joke of a competition': Fans rip into Super Rugby AU following light outage during Rebels win over Force

Fans have taken aim at Super Rugby AU after a light outage forced a 10-minute delay in Friday's match between the Rebels and Force…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
12 Mar 2021, 21:07

'The boys have had a positive attitude': Ambushed Saracens name XV for their second Championship match

Shocked and stunned last weekend in Cornwall on their Championship debut, Saracens are hoping for much better against Jersey in ro…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
12 Mar 2021, 9:56

'I'm really excited about the project': Ex-Scotland flanker Carl Hogg is back at Gloucester

With Premiership relegation no longer stalking the club this season, Gloucester have now bolstered their staff by recruiting Carl …

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
12 Mar 2021, 5:55

Blues welcome back All Blacks pair into starting side for Highlanders clash as young lock handed debut

The Blues have promoted two of their All Blacks to their starting side to face the Highlanders at Eden Park on Sunday.

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
11 Mar 2021, 20:43

Sonny Bill Williams announced as next headline name in dual-code Australian commentary lineup

Sonny Bill Williams has been confirmed as the next headline name to join Channel Nine's and streaming service Stan Sport's all-sta…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
11 Mar 2021, 17:59

'People thought I wanted to be a ball-running, crash-ball Ma'a, Sonny sort of person': Blues midfielder comfortable with new role

There's something slightly old school about this year's Blues backline: the inclusion of Harry Plummer as a traditional second fiv…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 23:43

Crusaders name formidable line up for the visiting Chiefs with 8 starting All Blacks

Head Coach Scott Robertson has made a handful of changes to the team this week, following their bonus-point victory over the Hurri…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 22:11

'It's like preparing for a South African team': Highlanders on high alert ahead of Blues clash

Highlanders assistant coach Clarke Dermody says the Highlanders are preparing for the Blues in the same way they would if they wer…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 21:36

'At the end of the day, they threw caution to the wind': Why the Chiefs aren't panicking ahead of Crusaders battle

Staring down the barrel of a potentially record-setting 11-match winless streak, you could forgive the Chiefs for feeling a little…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 18:08

'I feel as competitive as ever': Jamie Roberts signs Dragons contract extension

It was last August when Jamie Roberts first put pen to paper at the Dragons and the veteran Wales midfielder has now agreed to fre…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 9:51

'He's an exciting attacking prospect': Domingo Miotti set to become eighth Argentinian to play for Glasgow

The demise of the Jaguares in Super Rugby will now benefit Glasgow as they have signed recently capped Argentina player Domingo Mi…

Sam Smith
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 8:27
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