Opinion
Super Rugby Pacific
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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.
1394 Articles
Opinion
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 10-1
To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict th…
Ben Smith
13 Feb 2026, 13:53
14
Opinion
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 20-11
To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict th…
Ben Smith
12 Feb 2026, 13:12
2
Opinion
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 30-21
RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict the best players in Super Rugby Pacific for the 2026 season.
Ben Smith
11 Feb 2026, 12:13
1
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 40-31
To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict th…
Ben Smith
10 Feb 2026, 12:42
1
Opinion
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 50-41
To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict th…
Ben Smith
09 Feb 2026, 16:18
4
10 All Blacks for Crusaders against the Blues in final pre-season clash
The Crusaders have named two teams to take on the Blues in their final pre-season hitout at Takapuna Rugby Club at Onewa Domain.
Ben Smith
04 Feb 2026, 18:44
3
All Blacks send jibe Wallabies way after blockbuster clash ducked
The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw has been announced in full with the Wallabies first up opponent in the opening clash at Optus Stadiu…
Ben Smith
02 Feb 2026, 15:45
7
Opinion
Fate has a beautiful gift coming for Rassie and the Boks
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is chuffed that his new attack guru, Tony Brown, is staying put in South Africa until the 202…
Ben Smith
26 Jan 2026, 18:54
93
Opinion
Scott Robertson's biggest mistake as All Blacks coach
Scott Robertson's era as All Blacks head coach will go down as a fascinating period in New Zealand Rugby, the most successful Supe…
Ben Smith
24 Jan 2026, 17:45
118
Opinion
Four early candidates for MVP of 2026 Super Rugby Pacific
With Savea on sabbatical in Japan this season, a new 'MVP' will be crowned for 2026 with Savea unable to go back-to-back. Here are…
Ben Smith
10 Jan 2026, 19:47
5
Sam Cane's second-ever red card sinks Sungoliath as Wild Knights remain perfect
Suntory Sungoliath have fallen to Ardie Savea's Kobe Kobelco Steelers as a double yellow card to Sam Cane resulted in the Sungolia…
Ben Smith
10 Jan 2026, 17:01
1
'We should never forget': Former Bok great's warning on looming All Blacks series
Former Springboks fullback Percy Montgomery has warned South Africa about getting too complacent ahead of the historic Greatest Ri…
Ben Smith
06 Jan 2026, 15:54
98
All Blacks in the RugbyPass Top 100: Who rose, fell and missed out
The All Blacks finished with 16 players in the RugbyPass Top 100 for 2025, the second-most of any country behind South Africa.
Ben Smith
16 Dec 2025, 1:15
13
The five players who can swing the Springboks tour in the All Blacks' favour
The good news for Robertson is that there are players who can do that for the All Blacks next year who have been largely absent fr…
Ben Smith
09 Dec 2025, 20:34
45
All Blacks Sevens crash back to earth on day one in Cape Town
The All Blacks Sevens have crashed back down to earth on day one in Cape Town after winning the opening Dubai event of the 2025/26…
Ben Smith
06 Dec 2025, 12:49
Scott Barrett's 2027 plan explains everything about his form
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett endured plenty of speculation in 2025 surrounding his Super Rugby form with the Crusaders.
Ben Smith
03 Dec 2025, 17:27
15
'Felt inevitable': Scott Robertson on All Blacks' Pool A fate
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said it 'felt inevitable' that the All Blacks would end up in same pool as the Wallabies as …
Ben Smith
03 Dec 2025, 17:12
The South African verdict on Bok whisperer assistant coach Tony Brown
Former Springboks flyhalf Naas Botha has credited Tony Brown with bringing "quite a bit to the table" in terms of transforming Sou…
Ben Smith
02 Dec 2025, 19:10
4
Opinion
The good, the bad, the ugly with the All Blacks' forwards in 2025
There are some suggestions the All Blacks forward pack went backwards in 2025, unable to match what they had achieved in 2024.
Ben Smith
29 Nov 2025, 21:59
69
'There's no way': Siya Kolisi believes Etzebeth innocent of deliberate intent
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has defended teammate and good friend Eben Etzebeth and claimed that there was no intent behind the …
Ben Smith
29 Nov 2025, 14:58
26
