Bans handed down to red-carded Premiership pair Hepetema and Thorley
Bans have been dished out for the latest Premiership red cards, this time to London Irish's Terrence Hepetema and Gloucester's Oll…
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 7:08
Contributors
Sam Smith
@SamSmithReports
Roving reporter and RugbyPass Employee of the Month Runner Up, March 2016. Based in Auckland, New Zealand.
4-year anti-doping ban for England grassroots player
A grassroots player in England was charged by the RFU with two violations and ultimately given a four-year anti-doping ban.
Sam Smith
10 Mar 2021, 6:44
Sonny Bill Williams confirms retirement from both rugby codes as he prepares for next career move
Former All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed his retirement from both rugby union and rugby league as he prepare…
Sam Smith
09 Mar 2021, 22:02
Asafo Aumua in doubt for Chiefs clash as Hurricanes face first-five injury crisis
Hurricanes star Asafo Aumua is in doubt to face the Chiefs next Saturday after he left the field with a shoulder injury in his sid…
Sam Smith
09 Mar 2021, 21:07
Moana Pasifika and Fiji teams inch closer to Super Rugby inclusion following NZR's 'game changer' decision
Super Rugby could finally have Pacific Island representation by next year after New Zealand Rugby agreed to a "game changer" broad…
Sam Smith
09 Mar 2021, 19:09
Title-chasing Wales make two changes to their Six Nations XV to face Italy
Wales have named their team early to face Italy in the Six Nations, making two changes to their XV after the round three win over …
Sam Smith
09 Mar 2021, 9:54
'First reaction... just plain dumbstruck': Edinburgh sign South African prop de Bruin
Luan de Bruin featured in the Springboks trial game last October before his switch to Leicester and he is now moving on to Edinbur…
Sam Smith
09 Mar 2021, 6:22
'You've got to consider him': Why Julian Savea could be in line for an All Blacks re-call
A former All Black believes Hurricanes wing Julian Savea has put himself back in line for a national re-call, four years after his…
Sam Smith
08 Mar 2021, 22:19
'They genuinely looked like the Chiefs of 2012': Early-game performance could set the Chiefs up for a comeback season
Speaking on the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, former All Black James Parsons has suggested that in the opening quarter…
Sam Smith
08 Mar 2021, 18:00
Leicester Tigers sign Marfo, Van Wyk and Van Staden; announce host of new contracts
A number of Tigers players, including Dan Cole and Jasper Wiese, have also signed new contracts.
Sam Smith
08 Mar 2021, 4:43
'Ridiculous he's behind a guy who seems past it': The unused weapon who could help turn around the Hurricanes' fortunes
In desperate need of a turn around, it was substitute wing Salesi Rayasi who offered some spark to the Hurricanes attack and troub…
Sam Smith
07 Mar 2021, 19:21
English rugby fans have come up with an interesting theory as to why Beauden Barrett was watching Bath versus Exeter
All Black Beauden Barrett created a stir on social media this weekend after tweeting about how too many on-field water boys were i…
Sam Smith
07 Mar 2021, 16:00
Watch: Cheslin Kolbe pulls off a Houdini-like escape act in the Top 14 that would be disavowed in South Africa
Springbok World Cup hero Cheslin Kolbe has defied conventional play with a Houdini-like escape act in Toulouse's win over rival Br…
Sam Smith
07 Mar 2021, 2:18
Hot Crusaders enact cold vengeance on lukewarm Hurricanes
On the back of today's crushing victory, it's fair to suggest that the Crusaders certainly hadn't forgotten the result of last yea…
Sam Smith
07 Mar 2021, 0:23
Watch: All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor bamboozles Hurricanes defence to set up outstanding try
Having watched young Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua make mincemeat of the Blues defenders last weekend, Codie Taylor has sent the n…
Sam Smith
06 Mar 2021, 23:40
Why the Hurricanes have reverted to the most damaging midfield combination in Super Rugby Aotearoa
Heading into 2020, Ngani Laumape was an obvious pick for the Hurricanes, but who would partner him in the midfield? Come the end o…
Sam Smith
06 Mar 2021, 15:38
Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan reveals the two key areas they need to improve on to snap losing streak
Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan has identified two key areas his side need to work on following their 39-23 defeat to the Highlanders…
Sam Smith
05 Mar 2021, 23:21
Hot-stepping Chiefs youngster causes a stir on Twitter following 'super impressive' showing against Highlanders
Standout Highlanders wing Jona Nareki wasn't the only speedster to have caught the eye in Friday's Super Rugby Aotearoa match.
Sam Smith
05 Mar 2021, 22:01
British and Irish Lions make decision on Rugby Australia's offer to host 2021 tour
The British and Irish Lions have come to a decision regarding Rugby Australia's audacious bid to host the 2021 test series against…
Sam Smith
05 Mar 2021, 20:43
'Simply unplayable': How fans reacted to Jona Nareki's man-of-the-match performance against Chiefs
Fans have taken to social media to express their awe of Highlander wing Jona Nareki following his hat-trick during the Highlanders…
Sam Smith
05 Mar 2021, 19:58
