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
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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.
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
Opinion
USA team in Super Rugby Pacific is not the answer right now, but this is
The answer for Super Rugby Pacific is not to expand the number of teams, it's to take the existing teams into new markets and work…
Ben Smith
08 May 2025, 9:02
Blues make two changes for Drua challenge in Fiji
Having beaten the Western Force at Eden Park last weekend, the Blues are well and truly back into playoff contention in 7th place …
Ben Smith
07 May 2025, 12:54
Analysis
What went wrong for the Blues after their championship breakthrough
The encore for the Blues breakthrough championship season in 2024 has not been pretty, slumping as low as 9th over the first half …
Ben Smith
07 May 2025, 4:16
URC teams aren't proving Stephen Donald wrong
Former All Black Stephen Donald might not be right about the quality of the United Rugby Championship league, but the URC teams ce…
Ben Smith
04 May 2025, 12:58
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out
Leinster's quest for a fifth European title will have to wait another year after the club was knocked out in dramatic fashion at h…
Ben Smith
04 May 2025, 9:14
Opinion
Final hurrah for the All Blacks Sevens
The All Blacks Sevens finish their season in Los Angeles this weekend at the World Championship event after a series of disappoint…
Ben Smith
01 May 2025, 11:56
Highlanders looking to keep season alive versus Moana Pasifika
Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai is back in the midfield as his team prepares to host Moana Pasifika on Sunday afternoo…
Ben Smith
30 Apr 2025, 12:34
Backline reshuffle for Blues after Tele'a suspension
The Blues have reshuffled their backline ahead of their must-win game against the Force on Friday night as the season goes on the …
Ben Smith
30 Apr 2025, 12:21
Hurricanes' backs in All Black contention because of what 'Rieko is not getting' at the Blues
The Hurricanes win over the Brumbies, the first by a New Zealand side on Australian soil, came after the return of a handful of ke…
Ben Smith
30 Apr 2025, 8:20
Opinion
South African rugby's top heavy house of cards
There isn't anything below the Springboks that is a screaming success right now. After three years of competition in Europe, it lo…
Ben Smith
24 Apr 2025, 12:01
Japan's proposed anti-diverse 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx
A bombshell report on a planned change to eligibility in the Japan Rugby League One is set to to have ripple effects across rugby …
Ben Smith
24 Apr 2025, 5:37
Highlanders battle injuries ahead of Crusaders clash
The Highlanders have been hit with the loss of two wingers, their prop, and captain Hugh Renton as they prepare to host the Crusad…
Ben Smith
23 Apr 2025, 12:28
Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders
The Crusaders have made a back row re-shuffle for their trip to face the Highlanders as they look to continue their hot form after…
Ben Smith
23 Apr 2025, 12:17
Opinion
Wallabies-All Blacks is not the only option for an ANZAC day fixture
While a Bledisloe clash is dead in the water, it's not the only option available to fill ANZAC day with some representative rugby …
Ben Smith
22 Apr 2025, 11:06
Opinion
Mark Tele'a made the right call but the All Blacks won't suffer
Mark Tele'a made the right call by signing a deal in Japan effectively ending his time in the black jersey and with the Blues.
Ben Smith
15 Apr 2025, 12:27
Kenya and Portugal crowned HSBC SVNS Challenger champions as LA fate looms
Kenya and Portugal have been crowned champions of the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 following the third leg of the series in Krakow,…
Ben Smith
13 Apr 2025, 12:26