Ben Ryan

Ben Ryan

Contributor
London
Ratu Peni Rayani Latianara, to give him the Fijian chief name by which he is also known, wrote a weekly column for The National during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The London-born rugby coach oversaw the gold medal win in the sevens tournament at the 2016 Rio Olympics. That represented the first Olympic medal Fiji had ever won in any discipline. His sides have won the Dubai Rugby Sevens four times – twice with England, in 2010 and 2011, and twice with Fiji, in 2013 and 2015. He wrote an award-winning book about his pursuit of gold, Sevens Heaven: The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji's Olympic Dream, and is now a coaching consultant for the French Rugby Federation.
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TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 01: England player Jonny May in action during England captains run ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final at Fuchu Asahi Football Park on November 01, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Ben Ryan: England are 'over competent' so should win Rugby World Cup final

The former England and Fiji sevens coach knows all about major finals and what it takes to win them

November 01, 2019
Jaco Peyper was snapped imitating the Sebastien Vahaamahina elbow, and it cost him a possible semi-final match. Twitter/ArnaudCoudry
Referee Peyper was just showing his human side with Wales fans

'Elbow' official should not have been punished by World Rugby

October 25, 2019
 Eddie Jones, the England head coach, with his captain Owen Farrell, look forward to the Rugby World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks. Getty
Ben Ryan: There's no doubt about it, England have a team that can beat the All Blacks

Eddie Jones' Rugby World Cup semi-final selection points to a plan to 'go with the boot'

October 25, 2019
Japan captain Michael Leitch, top right, stretches team-mate Lomano Lava Lemeki during a training session ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against South Africa on Sunday. AP
Ben Ryan: Japan have pumped a new sense of style and smile into this Rugby World Cup

Success has been deserved with their enlightened play, and South Africa could be the next victims in the quarter-finals

October 17, 2019
The Fiji players huddle following their 29-17 Rugby World Cup defeat against Tier One Wales. Getty
Rugby World Cup should be the springboard to profit for the game's smaller nations

Gap between Tier 1 and 2 will never close if the elite keep all the money

October 11, 2019
Fiji's outstanding Semi Radradra in action against Wales  Oita. EPA
Ben Ryan: Semi Radradra would make any starting XV on the planet

Sad to see such an outstanding player heading home from the Rugby World Cup

October 10, 2019
Richie Mo'unga of New Zealand signs autographs for fans at the Oita Stadium in Japan. Getty
Ben Ryan: Is it time to look at USA as possible Rugby World Cup host?

Finances will be a factor but World Rugby should consider taking the game to America where interest is growing

October 03, 2019
France were well below their best against the United States but can still go far at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. AFP
Ben Ryan: France still my dark horses at unpredictable Rugby World Cup

Les Bleus have reached six semi-finals or better in the eight previous tournaments, proving form is futile once they have entered the World Cup

October 03, 2019
Australia's Marika Koroibete, who was born in Fiji, scores the Wallabies sixth try during Saturday's 39-21 victory over Fiji in their opening match at the Rugby World Cup 2019. Reuters
Cheika happy to select Fijians for own gain, not so reciprocal when it comes to theirs

Wallabies coach Cheika happy to select Fijians for Australia, but when some goodwill is needed the other way, it’s not as reciprocal

September 26, 2019
Manuel Diana (Uruguay) The No 8 will forever be remembered by his rugby playing compatriots for being a try-scorer in their stunning win over Fiji in Kamaishi. AFP
Uruguay win a great advert for how Rugby World Cup looks to close the gap

There is an argument for a reduced 10-team tournament, but that would really diminish the spirit of expanding the game

September 26, 2019
Faf de Klerk has formed a formidable half-back partnership with Handre Pollard for South Africa. EPA
Ben Ryan: Springboks have the tools to put a dent in All Blacks' unbeaten pool record at Rugby World Cups

New Zealand have never lost a pool match in eight previous World Cup editions

September 20, 2019
Ben Ryan (black shirt, right) coached Fiji to two Dubai Rugby Sevens titles as well as Olympic Gold at the 2016 Games in Rio. Jake Badger for The National
Ben Ryan: Flying Fijians can cause tremors at Rugby World Cup 2019

Maybe this will be the tournament that the XVs side can emulate the success of Fiji's sevens

September 20, 2019