NO POOFTAHS - Facebook S14
FR Bismarck Du Plessis (SHK) - $1,160,000
FR Ged Robinson (REB) - $620,750
LK Sam Whitelock (CRU) - $994,750
LK Ali Williams (BLU) - $1,138,500
LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,180,500
LF David Pockock (FOR) - $1,180,000
HV Dan Carter (CRU) - $1,300,000
HV Patrick Lambie (SHK) - $825,500
CT Cooper Vuna (REB) - $600,250
CT James O'Connor (FOR) - $1,177,500
OB Israel Dagg (CRU) - $1,127,000
OB Lwazi Mvovo (SHK) - $650,550
Team Value: $11,955,300
Cash in Bank: $44,700
I love playing fantasy Super Rugby because of the HUGE variations in teams you can achieve. I think Andrew and I share one player in Spies. I have taken some chances on the new kids, in the hopes that their value will rise. So welcome to Super Rugby Ged Robinson, whoever you are - and you spell your name like a twinkie, but anyway. Likewise Pat Lambie, Cooper Vuna and Lwazi Mvovo - I'm hoping for big spikes there. Spies usually gets up around $1.4 mil pretty quickly... all in all, I'm in pretty good shape. I like to take some risks the first week, and then ease my way into the best scoring players.
Good luck everyone. We'll see what this weekend churns up. Go Sharks!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Week One: Andrew's Team
THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14
FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,160,500
FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,140,250
LK Kane Douglas (WAR) - $505,500
LK James Broadhurst (HUR) - $700,250
LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,180,500
LF Fritz Lee (CHF) - $530,000
HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,197,750
HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,170,750
CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - $1,190,000
CT Digby Ioane (RED) - $1,155,500
OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) - $1,150,250
OB Bjorn Basson (BUL) - $880,000
Team Value: $11,961,250
Cash in Bank: $38,750
FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,160,500
FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,140,250
LK Kane Douglas (WAR) - $505,500
LK James Broadhurst (HUR) - $700,250
LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,180,500
LF Fritz Lee (CHF) - $530,000
HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,197,750
HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,170,750
CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - $1,190,000
CT Digby Ioane (RED) - $1,155,500
OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) - $1,150,250
OB Bjorn Basson (BUL) - $880,000
Team Value: $11,961,250
Cash in Bank: $38,750
Did anyone else feel spoiled for choice this time around? More players in form and more bargain-priced newcomers made the start to the new season less of a financial struggle than usual.
Up front I've gone for two of the most reliable performers - Polatu-Nau and Mealamu - but I could easily have picked from a handful of others - du Plessis, Hore, Moore et al - and I suspect there won't be much separating the top five or six performers.
Locks are traditionally the lowest scoring position in Test Rugby, and a good place to cut corners at the start of a competition. As such, I chose bargain bin starters Broadhurst and Douglas. They won't make as much some others - with Horwill in the backrow this week I suspect he'll top the scoring - but they'll earn me something.
I've gone for two opposites in the loosies, one proven performer and one unknown quantity: Pierre Spies is a legendary TR points machine, while the much heralded Fritz Lee has yet to prove himself at this level but if he lives up to the hype could be a good earner.
I spent big in the halves on Steyn and Cooper. I expect both the Bulls and Reds to start strongly against inferior teams and these playmakers and place kickers should rack up the points.
In the centres I was spoiled for choice but eventually plumped for Nonu and Ioane, two devastating players with a track record as big TR performers. I came close to fielding code-convert Cooper Vuna after his amazing try-scoring preseason form... hopefully I won't regret leaving him out.
I feel as if I could have picked any combination of about 20 outside backs and I'd have been pretty happy - Gear, Sivivatu, Muliaina, van den Heever, Beale, Dagg, Smith - the list of talented individuals seems endless - but after a lot of prevaricating I chose Mitchell and Basson. Again, I expect their respective teams to dominate this weekend and feel confident of a try (or two) from both players.
It's sure to be an exciting competition this year, on the field and in the Test Rugby arena. Let battle commence!
Good luck everyone!
Conference Round Up: New Zealand
Like the South African conference, there is only one sure bet here - perennial favorites, the Crusaders. Like Matfield and Du Preez, McCaw and Carter are irreplaceable and push their team into a different realm. The rise of the Whitelock clan, and the introduction of superstars-in-the-making Israel Dagg and Sonny Boy Williams, should make them unbeatable in New Zealand.
But... the Blues look awesome, as they always do pre-season. They have the players, and a formidable balance between exciting backs and powerful forwards. They have all the ingredients to finally regain their glory days. Will they? Probably not. But don't discount them from a place in the play-offs. The return of Williams and Braid will add even more steel to their pack, and look to Ranger and Brett to finally deliver a consistent season after years of promise.
The Hurricanes have a new coach, and maybe that is the elusive ingredient they need to finally win a Super Rugby title. They have great backs - I just think they may be missing a hard edge in the pack, particularly amongst the loosies. In addition, they have a bunch of new faces... consistency in selection seems to be key in ensuring consistent performances. It may take these Hurricanes a while to get up to speed, and by then, it may be too late in this unforgiving competition.
Dark Horse: Always the Chiefs... they are devastating on their day, and now they have Umaga shoring up their leaky midfield defense. Does he still have what it takes? I wouldn't bet against it. I would guess even an old, slow Umaga will scare the likes of Nanai-Williams and Donald into actually making some tackles this year. To put their strike power into perspective, Masaga finds himself on the bench!
And the Highlanders... well, they should join the Cheetahs in a 2nd division and save themselves some pain.
But... the Blues look awesome, as they always do pre-season. They have the players, and a formidable balance between exciting backs and powerful forwards. They have all the ingredients to finally regain their glory days. Will they? Probably not. But don't discount them from a place in the play-offs. The return of Williams and Braid will add even more steel to their pack, and look to Ranger and Brett to finally deliver a consistent season after years of promise.
The Hurricanes have a new coach, and maybe that is the elusive ingredient they need to finally win a Super Rugby title. They have great backs - I just think they may be missing a hard edge in the pack, particularly amongst the loosies. In addition, they have a bunch of new faces... consistency in selection seems to be key in ensuring consistent performances. It may take these Hurricanes a while to get up to speed, and by then, it may be too late in this unforgiving competition.
Dark Horse: Always the Chiefs... they are devastating on their day, and now they have Umaga shoring up their leaky midfield defense. Does he still have what it takes? I wouldn't bet against it. I would guess even an old, slow Umaga will scare the likes of Nanai-Williams and Donald into actually making some tackles this year. To put their strike power into perspective, Masaga finds himself on the bench!
And the Highlanders... well, they should join the Cheetahs in a 2nd division and save themselves some pain.
2011 Super Rugby Bargains & Bolters
This season's competition seems awash more young bloods than ever before and for once money doesn't seem as tight as usual. There are some great bargains to be had for Test Rugby managers - enough in fact to fill a whole team! Check out this bunch...
FR Nathan Charles (FOR) - $565,250
FR Ged Robinson (REB) - $620,750
LK Kane Douglas (WAR) - $505,000
LK James Broadhurst (HUR) - $700,250
LF Fritz Lee (CHF) - $530,000
LF Matt Todd (CRU) - $535,750
HV Lima Sopoaga (HGH) - $510,000
HV Patrick Lambie (SHK) - $825,000
CT Robbie Coleman (BRM) - $500,250
CT Cooper Vuna (REB) - $600,250
OB Lwazi Mvovo (SHK) - $650,550
OB Julian Savea (HUR) - $699,750
Not a bad team for only $7.25M!
The Outside Backs are a particularly good hunting ground for bargain buys this year. Other players to consider are:
Bjorn Basson (BUL) - $880,000
Gerhard van den Heever (BUL) - $805,250
Lionel Mapoe (CHE) - $795,250
Phillip Burger (CHE) - $577,750
Alfie Mafi (FOR) - $560,000
Kade Poki (HGH) - $860,550
JP du Plessis (REB) - $595,250
Rod Davies (RED) - $800,000
Luke Morahan (RED) - $725,000
Afa Pakalani (WAR) - $500,000
And the most overpriced player in this year's comp? That'd be a straight tie between Bryan Habana at $1,190,550 and Stirling Mortlock at $1.2M - respectively the most expensive OB and Centre. Fantastic players in their day but both now sadly well past their best. I doubt either will make it into the top 10 performers in their position (I'd lay money on Habana not even making it into the top 20).
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Conference Round Up: South Africa
With the winner of each conference guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, stakes will be high to ensure top spot. Who will those lucky teams be? Should be a pretty safe bet in the New Zealand and South African conferences, but the Aussie teams are less easy to predict, especially with the emergence of the Melbourne Rebels.
Here is my call on the SA conference:
SOUTH AFRICA
No need to look much further than the Bulls - I say this as a one-eyed, life-long Sharks fan. But looking at that line-up - largely unchanged for years - it becomes difficult to imagine my beloved Sharks cracking that nut. Matfield and Fourie are once-in-a-generation masters of the game. Morne Steyn is unstoppable at Loftus, especially when moving relentlessly forward behind a monster pack including the likes of Bakkies, Spies, Gary Botha and Steenkamp (and let's not forget the Danie-saurus on the bench!) Throw in a lethal finisher like newcomer Basson on the wing (he broke a decades old SA record for Currie Cup tries last season), and you have a pretty complete side.
But... the Sharks have a new game-plan with which they dominated all in the Currie Cup. They run everything - perfect for Super Rugby... until the Bulls prove it otherwise. We have seen the likes of the Chiefs dominate before with a similar game-plan, only to be torn apart by a structured team like the Bulls. The arrow in the quiver the Sharks possess, that the Chiefs did not, is a pack to rival even the Bulls. A front row dominated by Springboks and a balanced loose trio with some MONSTER ball carriers in Deysel and Alberts (and some of the quickest loosies around in Kankowski and Daniels). Patrick Lambie may also be the flyhalf South Africa has been missing since Henry Honiball retired. He has the ability to dominate the game, much like the Australian ball-players - Steven Larkham comes to mind. He is young and untried though, but here's hoping he has a breakout year.
The Stormers... I just can't bring myself to back them. They always show promise, but do they really have the spine to finish out the tough games. They didn't in the Super 14 last year, or the Currie Cup. They have the players, they have the coaches, they have the fans... but they must rank as outsiders against a Bulls outfit going for a hattrick of titles, and a Sharks team desperate to finally close after so many near misses.
Dark Horse: The Lions... they have a great coach in Mitchell, they've made some shrewd purchases in the off-season and they have gobs of money from a new African benefactor, making them a darling of the much delayed transformation of SA rugby. I still can't see them toppling the big dogs though. There'll be some upsets here and there, but Super Rugby success requires top-notch performances week in and week out. The Lions will again fall short.
And the Cheetahs... they talk up their chances now that more derby's are being played, but really... now that even the Lions have more clout, what are these jokers still doing in the competition? Bring on the EP Kings!
Here is my call on the SA conference:
SOUTH AFRICA
No need to look much further than the Bulls - I say this as a one-eyed, life-long Sharks fan. But looking at that line-up - largely unchanged for years - it becomes difficult to imagine my beloved Sharks cracking that nut. Matfield and Fourie are once-in-a-generation masters of the game. Morne Steyn is unstoppable at Loftus, especially when moving relentlessly forward behind a monster pack including the likes of Bakkies, Spies, Gary Botha and Steenkamp (and let's not forget the Danie-saurus on the bench!) Throw in a lethal finisher like newcomer Basson on the wing (he broke a decades old SA record for Currie Cup tries last season), and you have a pretty complete side.
But... the Sharks have a new game-plan with which they dominated all in the Currie Cup. They run everything - perfect for Super Rugby... until the Bulls prove it otherwise. We have seen the likes of the Chiefs dominate before with a similar game-plan, only to be torn apart by a structured team like the Bulls. The arrow in the quiver the Sharks possess, that the Chiefs did not, is a pack to rival even the Bulls. A front row dominated by Springboks and a balanced loose trio with some MONSTER ball carriers in Deysel and Alberts (and some of the quickest loosies around in Kankowski and Daniels). Patrick Lambie may also be the flyhalf South Africa has been missing since Henry Honiball retired. He has the ability to dominate the game, much like the Australian ball-players - Steven Larkham comes to mind. He is young and untried though, but here's hoping he has a breakout year.
The Stormers... I just can't bring myself to back them. They always show promise, but do they really have the spine to finish out the tough games. They didn't in the Super 14 last year, or the Currie Cup. They have the players, they have the coaches, they have the fans... but they must rank as outsiders against a Bulls outfit going for a hattrick of titles, and a Sharks team desperate to finally close after so many near misses.
Dark Horse: The Lions... they have a great coach in Mitchell, they've made some shrewd purchases in the off-season and they have gobs of money from a new African benefactor, making them a darling of the much delayed transformation of SA rugby. I still can't see them toppling the big dogs though. There'll be some upsets here and there, but Super Rugby success requires top-notch performances week in and week out. The Lions will again fall short.
And the Cheetahs... they talk up their chances now that more derby's are being played, but really... now that even the Lions have more clout, what are these jokers still doing in the competition? Bring on the EP Kings!
Week One: Team Announcements
HURRICANES vs HIGHLANDERS, WELLINGTON, FRI 08:35
Hurricanes – 15 Cory Jane, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Mark Reddish, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Faifili Levave, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Andre Taylor.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Faifili Levave, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Andre Taylor.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 James Paterson, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Berkhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jami Mackintosh.
Subs: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Siale Piutau.
Subs: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Siale Piutau.
REBELS VS WARTAHS, MELBOURNE, FRI 10:40
Rebels – 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Cooper Vuna, 11 Luke Rooney, 10 James Hilgendorf, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Hoani Macdonald, 5 Kevin O’Neill, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Afusipa Taumoepeau.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Afusipa Taumoepeau.
Waratahs – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Ryan Cross.
Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Ryan Cross.
BLUES vs CRUSADERS, AUCKLAND, SAT 08:35
Blues – TBC
Crusaders – TBC
BRUMBIES vs CHIEFS, CANBERRA, SAT 10:40
Brumbies – TBC
Chiefs – TBC
SHARKS vs CHEETAHS, DURBAN, SAT 17:05
Sharks – TBC
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Kabamba Floors, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
LIONS vs BULLS, JOHANNESBURG, SAT 19:10
Lions – TBC
Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Derick Kuun, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Derick Kuun, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
REDS vs FORCE, BRISBANE, SUN 08:40
Reds – TBC
Force – TBC
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