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Ben Smith

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.

Opinion

Seven wild card bolter prospects for the All Blacks ranked

After eight weeks of Super Rugby Pacific, here are seven wild card names who could get a call up to the All Blacks this year. 

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
06 Apr 2026, 17:09
Opinion

Super Rugby Pacific mid-season awards: The MVP and breakout player

The RugbyPass Round Table writers answer the big questions at the mid-point of the Super Rugby Pacific 2026 season. Finn Morton (…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
02 Apr 2026, 17:19

Six returnees in New Zealand U20 squad to return to South Africa

New Zealand U20 have named a 30 man squad to defend their title at the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa. 

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
31 Mar 2026, 19:31

The form All Blacks forward pack after seven rounds of Super Rugby Pacific

What does the form All Blacks forward pack look like? It is very different from the 2025 side when taking into account only Super …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
29 Mar 2026, 18:05

Justin Marshall's surprise back row selection for the All Blacks

Former All Black halfback Justin Marshall has picked his hypothetical starting XV for the All Blacks based on current Super Rugby …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
29 Mar 2026, 17:10
Opinion

There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

As the dust settles on the announcement of the All Blacks' new coaching staff, Dave Rennie's next order of business will be to sel…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
28 Mar 2026, 21:27

Former England international commits to Hurricanes for another season

Hurricanes veteran and former England international loose forward Brad Shields has penned a new contract extension which will keep…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
25 Mar 2026, 15:17
Opinion

The form All Blacks backline after six rounds of Super Rugby Pacific

If the All Blacks backline were named today based on Super Rugby Pacific form, it would look very different to the team that last …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
25 Mar 2026, 14:21

All Black winger Emoni Narawa re-signs with NZR and Chiefs

It's the appeal of more caps with the All Blacks, as well as the chance to feature at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, that …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
24 Mar 2026, 16:12

Everyone has the same fear about Rieko Ioane after latest Leinster showing

Star All Black midfielder Rieko Ioane has left fans alarmed after his latest showing for Leinster against Glasgow in the URC. 

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
23 Mar 2026, 13:57
Opinion

Moana vs Crusaders takes: A+ development on show, dark horse POTY candidate

It's starting to look ugly for Moana Pasifika after another heavy defeat, going down by 50-21 to the Crusaders in Albany on Saturd…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
21 Mar 2026, 16:09
Opinion

Bye bye Chiefs, thanks for coming

Is it too early to write off the Chiefs after a catastrophic collapse in Canberra to the Brumbies? The perennial chokers who have …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
20 Mar 2026, 18:00
Opinion

Highlanders vs Hurricanes takes: Roigard owns Fakatava, Canes silence doubters

The table-leading Hurricanes have cooked the Highlanders by 50-7 in a Dunedin demolition job, cementing their status as early seas…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
20 Mar 2026, 1:37
Opinion

Why back-to-back France are so far behind the World Cup standard

France are rugby's new attacking juggernaut after completing back-to-back Six Nations titles since 2006-07, gorging on the defence…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
14 Mar 2026, 18:36
Opinion

Chiefs vs Moana takes: McKenzie shows why No.1, Tupaea's concern

Although the Chiefs ran away with it comfortably by 57-24, they didn't have it all their way, with the class of Damian McKenzie an…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
06 Mar 2026, 14:34
Opinion

Waratahs vs Hurricanes takes: Canes looked like champions, Proctor's night

This was going to be a title Test for the previously undefeated Waratahs but they were blown off the park in the second half as th…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
06 Mar 2026, 2:39
Opinion

Chiefs vs Crusaders takes: Kemara comes of age, Chiefs in shock

The Crusaders produced a massive turnaround to beat title favourite Chiefs 43-33 in a thriller in Hamilton, registering their firs…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
28 Feb 2026, 0:33
Opinion

Reds vs Highlanders takes: Wallaby wins 10 battle, Australia's best player

The Queensland Reds stamped their title credentials on Friday night with a 31-14 win over the Highlanders in Brisbane after coming…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
27 Feb 2026, 14:16
Opinion

Blues vs Force takes: Blues identity crisis, find of the year

The Blues outlasted a resilient Western Force side in Perth to claim their first win of the season by 42-32 in a high-scoring cont…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2026, 14:12
Opinion

Highlanders vs Chiefs takes: Millar too vanilla, Chiefs too much power

After beating the Blues at Eden Park last week, the Chiefs travelled to Dunedin and managed to pull away in the second half 26-13 …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2026, 0:30
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