Dream Team: Round Nine

FR Ben Alexander (BRM) - 470
FR Adriaan Strauss (CHE) - 375

LK Andries Bekker (STM) - 375
LK Rob Simmons (RED) - 225

LF Rocky Elsom (BRM) - 475
LF Stephen Hoiles (BRM) - 390

HV Quade Cooper (RED) - 605
HV Patrick Phibbs (BRM) - 410

CT Anthony Faingaa (RED) - 470
CT Ryan Cross (FOR) - 460

OB Rod Davies (RED) - 505
OB Michael Killian (LIO) - 480

5 try bonus 200

Total Points 5,440

Week Nine: Predictions

Andrew: 42/52 (81%)
Kynan: 36/52 (69%)

Andrew's Predictions

Chiefs vs Bulls - Bulls by 5
Highlanders vs Force - Force by 7
Blues vs Stormers - Blues by 10
Crusaders vs Waratahs - Crusaders by 5
Brumbies vs Cheetahs - Brumbies by 20
Lions vs Reds - Reds by 15

Kynan's Predictions

Chiefs vs Bulls - Bulls by 7+
Highlanders vs Force - Highlanders by less than 7
Blues vs Stormers - Stormers by less than 7
Crusaders vs Waratahs - Waratahs by less than 7
Brumbies vs Cheetahs - Brumbies by 13+
Lions vs Reds - Reds by 13+

Week Nine: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,270,000
FR Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - $1,145,000

LK Andries Bekker (STM) - $1, 397,500

LK Dean Mumm (WAR) - $1,210,000

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,382,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRM) - $1,140,000

HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,342,500

HV Matt Giteau (BRM) - $1,047,500

CT James O'Connor (FOR) - $1,420,000

CT Isaia Toe'ava (BLU) - $1,147,500

OB Rene Ranger (BLU) - $1,075,000

OB Digby Ioane (RED) - $1,257,500

Team Value: $14,835,000

Cash in Bank: $1,922,650

Last week was a bit of a nightmare for me, with one of my lowest scoring rounds of the tournament, but I obviously wasn't the only one. I held on to second place in the league (closing the gap on Skulliz Boyz to a mere 50 points!) and actually rose in the world rankings to a season's best of 41. Rather than play it safe, I've made a couple of potentially risky moves in this week's team - who dares wins!

There's nothing controversial about drafting in Ti'i Paulo in the front row. He's now the best average scorer in the position and with Corey Flynn crocked (again), his starting place seems assured.

I stuck with the same lock pairing, but I'm hoping for better things from Bekker this week - he seemed a bit out of sorts against the Force.

In the loosies, I sold Messam and bought Elsom, suspecting that the Brumbies vs Cheetahs match might become a bit of a whitewash and it seems like Rocky's due for another big game.

I threw caution to the wind in the halves. After my gamble of dropping Steyn worked wonders last week, I decided to drop my other stalwart, Daniel Carter, this week. And with Halangahu on a bye next week, I sold him too. Bringing in Quade Cooper was a no-brainer, after his amazing score last week and the prospect of him facing the Lions this week. For the other slot, I've gambled and recalled Matt Giteau. Like Elsom, I'm thinking that the Brumbies will have a big result at the weekend, and Giteau should be in the thick of the action and kicking plenty of points. He's also yet to score a try this year, this must be his week, surely?

In the centres, I did what I flirted with doing last week, and finally dropped Olivier - he's just not been earning at the same level as he did in the initial weeks of the competition. After being sorely tempted by Adam Ashley-Cooper, for the same reasons as I chose Elsom and Giteau, I decided on Isaia Toe'ava. The Blues fullback has been on great form since he returned from injury, though somewhat under-the-radar, and it's only a couple of early appearances from the bench have prevented him featuring prominently on my best performing players charts.

In the backs, I decided to stick with Ranger, even if he didn't hit the heights last week. In a risky move, I dropped Israel Dagg for Digby Ioane. Dagg's on a bye next week, so I'd be dropping him soon anyway, and the prospect of Ioane against the Lions was too good an opportunity to miss.

Next week sees the final bye weekend of the season, with the Waratahs and Highlanders taking a breather, while the Sharks and Hurricanes return to the fray. More trades are issued after this round locks too.

Good luck everyone!

Week Nine: Kynan's Team

NO POOFTAHS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,285,000
FR Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - $1,145,000

LK Dean Mumm (WAR) - $1,210,000
LK Anthony Boric (BLU) - $1,022,500

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,382,500
LF Sione Lauaki (CRU) - $1,047,500

HV Matt Giteau (BRU) - $1,082,500
HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,342,500

CT James O'Connor (FOR) - $1,420,000
CT Richard Kahui (CHF) - $1,150,000

OB Israel Dagg (HGH) - $1,157,500
OB Digby Ioane (RED) - $1,257,500

Team Value: $14,470,000
Cash in Bank: $62,250

A few changes this week - blowing the transfers I had built up. Ti'i Paulo comes in after a continuation of his impressive run of form. My McCaw experiment was short-lived, and I sold him after one week - even though he did okay last week. I just don't see him posting big numbers, and I need to start taking some risks at this stage of the season. I brought in wildman Lauaki instead... he's a gamble but when he's on song, he's a points machine.

Matt Giteau is back... and like McCaw, I've dropped Carter for Cooper. I think he's going to destroy the Lions, and Giteau won't be too shabby against the Cheetahs.

With the Lions in mind, I've dropped Masaga for Ioane - he is almost guaranteed several tries against the leakiest defense in the competition.

Best Players After Round Eight

TOP FRONT ROWERS
Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - 293 >
Keven Mealamu (BLU) - 277 <
Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - 260 <
Andrew Hore (HUR) - 256 <
Adrian Strauss (CHE) - 244 <

A big score from Ti'i Paulo sees him rise from fifth to first, with the rest of last week's top five dropping one place as they retain their positions relative to one another. Paulo is an attractive proposition for Test Rugby players at the moment, with his main rival, Corey Flynn, out injured again, and the Crusaders looking a good bet for a semi-final berth.

TOP LOCKS
Dean Mumm (WAR) - 266 ><
Andries Bekker (STM) - 236 ><
Nathan Sharpe (FOR) - 208 ><
Anthony Boric (BLU) - 167 >
Michael Paterson (HUR) - 163 *

There's little change among the locks. A rather sub-par performance from the usually reliable Bekker, sees Mumm extend his lead a little. Elsewhere, Paterson returns to the top five, at the expense of Danie Roussouw.

TOP LOOSIES
Pierre Spies (BUL) - 338 ><
Chris Alcock (WAR) - 290 *
Sione Lauaki (CHF) - 258 *
Juan Smith (CHE) - 247 <
Ryan Kankowski (SHK) - 240 <

It's all change in the loosies. Spies still dominates but newboy Chris Alcock rockets straight into second place, with his one and only game of the tournament so far. Lauaki is another new entry in third while Kankowski's season-ending injury sees him tumble to fifth.

TOP HALVES
Quade Cooper (RED) - 418 >
Morne Steyn (BUL) - 402 <
Will Genia (RED) - 329 <
Daniel Carter (CRU) - 280 ><
Stephen Donald (CHF) - 277*

A simply outstanding score last weekend sends Cooper to the top of the pile, displacing Steyn as king of the halves and the tournament's highest average earner. Ironically, Stephen Donald's shift to inside centre, sees him make his first appearance of the season in the top five.

TOP CENTRES
James O'Connor (FOR) - 346 ><
Wynand Olivier (BUL) - 301 ><
Adam Ashley-Cooper (BRM) - 283 ><
Richard Kahui (CHF) - 242 ><
Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - 221 *

O'Connor cemented his place at the top of the centres, but the only positional change sees Nonu sneak into the top five.

TOP BACKS
Israel Dagg (HGH) - 359 ><
Sitiveni Sivivatu (CHF) - 344 ><
Digby Ioane (RED) - 326 *
Drew Mitchell (WAR) - 322 <
Rene Ranger (BLU) - 291 <

There's little change among the backs either. Dagg and Sivivatu retain first and second place, though the latter is still out injured. Mitchell and Ranger slip a place as Ioane lands with a splash in third, and up against the Lions this week, I wouldn't be surprised to see him overtake Sivivatu soon.

Week Nine: Team Announcements

CHIEFS vs BULLS, HAMILTON, FRIDAY 09:35

Chiefs – 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.

Subs: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Colin Bourke, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Callum Bruce, 22 Jackson Willison.

Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van der Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Subs: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Pedrie Wannenberg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

HIGHLANDERS vs FORCE, QUEENSTOWN, SATURDAY 04:30

Highlanders - 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Mat Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.

Subs: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Jayden Hayward.

Force - TBC

BLUES vs STORMERS, AUCKLAND, SATURDAY 07:30

Blues – 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Charlie Faumuina.

Subs: Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Paul Williams.

Stormers – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller.

Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Tim Whitehead.

CRUSADERS vs WARATAHS, CHRISTCHURCH, SATURDAY 09:35

Crusaders – 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robert Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (c), 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Subs: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Jared Payne.

Waratahs – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c) / Chris Alcock, 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Tom Carter, 22 Sosene Anesi.

BRUMBIES vs CHEETAHS, CANBERRA, SATURDAY 11:40

Brumbies – 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Pat Mccabe, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mitchell Chapman, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.

Subs: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 James Stannard, 21 Ed Stubbs, 22 Alfi Mafi.

Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Wilmaure Louw, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Kabamba Floors, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Walti Vermeulen, 4 Barend Pieterse, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Subs: 16 Wian du Preez, 17 Ryno Barnes, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Robert Ebersohn.

LIONS vs REDS, JOHANNESBURG, SATURDAY 19:10

Lions – 15 Michael Killian, 14 Wigan Pekeur, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.

Subs: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Herkie Kruger, 22 Marius Delport.

Reds – 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.

Subs: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Luke Morahan.

Dream Team: Round Eight

FR Ti'i Paulo (CRU) - 470
FR Bismarck du Plessis (SHK) - 350

LK Jeremy Thrush (HUR) - 350
LK Dean Mumm (WAR) - 305

LF Jaques Botes (SHK) - 535
LF Adam Thomson (HGH) - 440

HV Quade Cooper (RED) - 945
HV Stephen Donald (CHF) - 510

CT James O'Connor (FOR) - 385
CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - 380

OB Digby Ioane (RED) - 510
OB Will Chambers (RED) - 460

5 try bonus 200

Total Points 5,840