Opinion
It's now or never for Beauden Barrett's Blues
The stars have aligned for the Blues.
Tom Vinicombe
11 Jan 2023, 5:16
Contributors
Tom Vinicombe
@TomVinicombe
Tom Vinicombe is Southern Hemisphere features editor for RugbyPass. Tom has travelled the world covering rugby and lived in Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Springbok Handre Pollard to make long-awaited return for Tigers
Handre Pollard, one of the most highly anticipated Premiership signings of the 2022-23 season will make his starting debut for Lei…
Tom Vinicombe
29 Dec 2022, 10:31
Opinion
Will the next All Blacks blindside flanker please stand up?
While there's no obvious successor on the blindside flank for the All Blacks come 2024, the cupboard is hardly bare.
Tom Vinicombe
29 Dec 2022, 6:50
Opinion
Send South Africa back to Super Rugby to end Champions Cup woes
The Champions Cup has seemingly inherited the problems that plagued Super Rugby in its latter years.
Tom Vinicombe
21 Dec 2022, 6:58
Interview
'I still can't really talk about it': Zarn Sullivan on the comeback trail
A freak injury during the NPC stymied Zarn Sullivan's prodigious development.
Tom Vinicombe
19 Dec 2022, 11:55
Georgia's Black Lion claim second Super Cup title with victory over Tel Aviv Heat
The Black Lion have defended their Super Cup crown with a 29-17 victory over the Tel Aviv Heat in Tbilisi over the weekend.
Tom Vinicombe
19 Dec 2022, 9:51
Pro rugby takes massive step forward in Asia with announcement of Grand League
Thursday marked a big step forward for rugby in Asia with the local federation announcing a new pan-Asia competition set to kick o…
Tom Vinicombe
16 Dec 2022, 7:39
Another World Cup-bound nation loses their coach on the eve of 2023
Not much more than a week after England and Wales parted ways with Eddie Jones and Wayne Pivac, another Test nation bound for the …
Tom Vinicombe
16 Dec 2022, 6:14
Opinion
Chiefs' big signing foreshadows a bigger problem for New Zealand
The recruitment of a 34-year-old prop from Ireland might have raised a few eyebrows in New Zealand this weekend.
Tom Vinicombe
14 Dec 2022, 9:55
Opinion
Four key Super Rugby selection battles ahead of All Blacks' World Cup quest
While the All Blacks selectors will undoubtedly have to make some significant calls when they eventually announce their squad next…
Tom Vinicombe
14 Dec 2022, 7:34
Paris courts deliver verdict on Bernard Laporte corruption case
Bernard Laporte, president of the Federation Francaise de Rugby and vice-president of World Rugby, has been handed a two-year susp…
Tom Vinicombe
13 Dec 2022, 10:14
Opinion
The hunt for the next All Blacks No 10
There are no heirs apparent to the likes of Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga.
Tom Vinicombe
13 Dec 2022, 8:30
'Still waiting for that World Cup': France-bound Sowakula gunning for 2023
France-bound All Blacks loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula still harbour hopes of featuring at next year's Rugby World Cup.
Tom Vinicombe
13 Dec 2022, 7:48
Opinion
Winning isn't everything - but neither is the Rugby World Cup
New Zealand and England have endured tumultuous seasons in 2022 - but only one coach has lost their jobs.
Tom Vinicombe
12 Dec 2022, 8:33
Clermont confirm signing of jilted All Black on two-year deal
Two-cap All Black Pita Gus Sowakula has ostensibly given up hope on ever playing for the New Zealand national side again, signing …
Tom Vinicombe
12 Dec 2022, 7:14
Opinion
Will Gatland's homecoming with the Chiefs be remembered fondly, if at all?
Warren Gatland won't go down as the worst Super Rugby coach in New Zealand history but statistically speaking, he's not far off.
Tom Vinicombe
07 Dec 2022, 5:17
'Those conversations never really sit still': What future holds for Super Rugby
While the CEOs of both RA and NZR have affirmed that there will be no changes to Super Rugby Pacific just yet, there are discussio…
Tom Vinicombe
02 Dec 2022, 16:37
Opinion
Australia the big winners in curious new Super Rugby deal
An eight-team competition was once deemed the best way forward for Super Rugby but New Zealand Rugby have relented.
Tom Vinicombe
01 Dec 2022, 23:58
Opinion
All Blacks player ratings: High highs and low lows for centres and outside backs
The All Blacks' midfielders and outside backs mixed moments of the sublime with an equal number of moments of despair in 2022.
Tom Vinicombe
24 Nov 2022, 22:59
'He wants to start': Dave Rennie on Noah Lolesio's surprise No 10 omission
Noah Lolesio was largely expected to wear the No 10 jersey for the Wallabies this weekend but in a surprise move, Ben Donaldson ha…
Tom Vinicombe
24 Nov 2022, 16:20
