International Rugby
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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.
1265 Articles
Latest
8 hours ago International Rugby
Robertson on whether All Blacks are Bok ready
1 day ago International Rugby
Finn Russell played like an NFL quarterback
1 day ago International Rugby
Scott Robertson on killing the narrative
1 day ago International Rugby
Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives
Opinion
Four All Blacks whose international careers are at a crossroads
Scott Robertson's All Blacks squad to face France in a week's time featured five uncapped players, with another two uncapped playe…
Ben Smith
29 Jun 2025, 8:33
Hurricanes sign Kiwi-born Japanese international on one-year deal
The Hurricanes have announced the signing of Kiwi-born Japanese lock Warner Dearns for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Ben Smith
25 Jun 2025, 6:52
Opinion
The All Blacks might finally have a bruising No.12 in their midfield
The selection of Tavatavanawai indicates the All Blacks recognise they need something else after losing close matches to South Afr…
Ben Smith
24 Jun 2025, 11:35
Opinion
Winners and losers of the first All Blacks squad of the year
Scott Robertson's first All Blacks squad of the year showed form is valuable with five uncapped players named in the July squad.
Ben Smith
23 Jun 2025, 11:59
Opinion
Ian Foster's defiant approach with the All Blacks
Ex-All Black head coach Ian Foster has reflected on his turbulent time as All Blacks head coach in an open and honest podcast on B…
Ben Smith
18 Jun 2025, 10:38
Scott Robertson opens up on drama surrounding Bongi Mbonambi's knock-on try
All Blacks head coach Scott Roberston has revealed how the side tried to intervene to get Springboks' hooker Bongi Mbonambi's cont…
Ben Smith
16 Jun 2025, 12:44
Downcast Brumbies coach Larkham's final warning for the Chiefs
Frustrated ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will go back to the drawing board after his team fell short in their Super Rugby Pac…
Ben Smith
16 Jun 2025, 6:39
Opinion
Super Rugby semi takes: Chiefs' wings are ABs, Hoskins horror show
The Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals saw the Crusaders book another home final with a 21-14 win over the Blues, while the Chiefs bo…
Ben Smith
15 Jun 2025, 13:45
Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific's greatest season stained by one playoff game
Super Rugby Pacific has had a resurgent 2025 season with one of the greatest rugby seasons seen, perhaps the greatest regular seas…
Ben Smith
10 Jun 2025, 12:22
Lions win the race for South Africa's schoolboy prodigy
The Lions have reportedly won the signature of Grey College schoolboy prodigy Ethan Adams, a viral sensation at age grade level.
Ben Smith
29 May 2025, 6:13
All Black loose forward returns for Crusaders for crunch clash
All Black loose forward Ethan Blackadder returns for the Crusaders to notch his 50th game in Canberra against the Brumbies.
Ben Smith
28 May 2025, 12:47
The form All Blacks backline based only on Super Rugby Pacific
So the All Blacks backline that we will see in 2025 will be vastly different from what is the form Super Rugby Pacific backline. H…
Ben Smith
28 May 2025, 7:29
Opinion
The biggest threat to the Chiefs is not the Crusaders
After being buttered up by the Blues, it would be the perfect time for the Hurricanes to come in the next week with the knock out …
Ben Smith
26 May 2025, 12:30
Opinion
Why the All Blacks don't need to bother with a bomb squad
The All Blacks are one of the few top international teams to resist moving to a 6-2 or 7-1 bench arrangement, instead preferring t…
Ben Smith
22 May 2025, 8:50
Opinion
What went wrong with the Highlanders this season
Year two of the Highlanders under returning coach Jamie Joseph has presented challenges as the franchise sits in last place curren…
Ben Smith
20 May 2025, 11:23
Opinion
Moana Pasifika took the shackles off Ardie Savea and he won MVP
Moana Pasifika loose forward Ardie Savea has been named the inaugural MVP of Super Rugby Pacific in his first season with the club…
Ben Smith
18 May 2025, 15:47
Opinion
The truth behind NZR's finances
The number one headline generated by NZR's latest annual results was the -$19.5 million net income loss, but the truth of the matt…
Ben Smith
18 May 2025, 7:36
All Black first five returns for Hurricanes to face Highlanders
All Black first five-eighth Brett Cameron will make his return from injury after a seven month long stint on the sidelines when th…
Ben Smith
14 May 2025, 12:00
Opinion
Chiefs' secret weapon again on show in regular season sweep of Crusaders
When the Chiefs opened the season with back-to-back wins over the Blues and Crusaders in the first two rounds, they were instantly…
Ben Smith
11 May 2025, 11:20
Jordie Barrett produces man-of-the-match showing after benching drama
All Black midfielder Jordie Barrett has produced a man-of-the-match showing for Leinster in their thumping of Zebre by 76-5 in the…
Ben Smith
11 May 2025, 7:25
