Rugby World Cup Fantasy Rugby: No value in Boks
World Rugby Fantasy Rugby: After 51 days, 48 games, and countless heart-stopping moments, it all comes down to this.
Rugby’s greatest rivalry encounters its next chapter as the Springboks and All Blacks square off for the ultimate prize, with the winner moving into the solo lead for the most World Cup winners’ medals of all time.
England and Argentina’s second meeting of the tournament is also set to be a fiery affair as Los Pumas look to exact their revenge after falling to Steve Borthwick’s side in their opening game of the tournament whilst England bid for their first-ever third-place finish.
This week is the final chance to be bold and make a final run at fantasy glory.
Final and Bronze Final news
Fixture List:
England vs Argentina
New Zealand vs South Africa
For the knockout stages, the total budget has been increased to 115 credits as fantasy owners can now select up to six players from each nation for the bronze final and final this week.
In terms of the boosters, you should have one remaining after they were reset following the pool stages. The strategy of playing a defensive king in the quarterfinals and then using the triple captain on Will Jordan, who scored 106 fantasy points in his hat-trick performance last week, has been the perfect play. If you have done that, the super kicker, which doubles all a player’s kicking points, will be the final booster to use.
Here is your game-by-game fantasy guide for the final week of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
England vs Argentina
England key players:
After the gruelling nature of last week’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa, I’m expecting England to change their approach and adopt a more free-flowing style in their bid for a first-ever World Cup bronze medal.
The recall of Henry Arundell (7.0 Credits, 128 Average Fantasy Score) into the back three is an indication of the approach England are going to take. The electric 20-year-old has featured just once this tournament, despite scoring five tries in that solo appearance, and is the perfect X-factor choice for fantasy owners who need to take a gamble in the final week.
Another young superstar that could turn the tide for fantasy owners this week is Marcus Smith (10.0 Credits, 26.8 Average Fantasy Score) who comes back into the side at fullback. Although he won’t get the benefit of kicking goals, if England are to deploy a run-first style of rugby, Smith will be at the heart of it.
In the pack, there are two non-negotiable selections from a fantasy standpoint. Maro Itoje (7.0 Credits, 25.4 Average Fantasy Score) has the most points of any lock alongside being the only one to average above 21 fantasy points whilst Ben Earl (6.5 Credits, 28 Average Fantasy Score), who has been England’s best player this campaign, has the second most fantasy points of any loose forward behind Ardie Savea.
Two others that could provide fantasy owners with a final shot of momentum are Ellis Genge (6.0 Credits, 14 Average Fantasy Score) and Joe Marchant (7.0 Credits, 16.5 Average Fantasy Score) who both can rack up big scores with their ball-carrying threats.
Argentina key players:
All the noise from the Los Pumas camp has been about the importance of this final game after they endured the second-biggest semi-final loss of all time to the All Blacks last weekend.
On top of wanting to right the wrongs of last week, they will be desperate to exact their revenge on England after being dismantled by them in their opening game of the tournament.
Thomas Gallo (4.5 Credits, 29.6 Average Fantasy Score) is an automatic fantasy selection this week. He has 62 more fantasy points than the next closest prop and averages over 13 points per game more than the second-best. The loosehead has also beaten 20 defenders this tournament, the most of any forward and the all-time record for a front rower at a World Cup.
Alongside him, Julian Montoya (7.5 Credits, 36.6 Average Fantasy Score) is the premium choice at hooker. The Argentinian captain is two credits cheaper than both Codie Taylor and Bongi Mbonambi yet has the highest points total and per-game average of the three.
In the engine room, Marcos Kremer (6.0 Credits, 16.2 Average Fantasy Score) is a reliable option, especially at his price point. He has the fourth most points of any lock and his defensive abilities are a dependable source of points. On top of that, he needs to make just ten tackles this week to break the record for most tackles by an individual at a World Cup, so he will be hunting for involvement.
New Zealand vs South Africa
New Zealand key players:
The All Blacks have looked borderline unplayable ever since their loss to France in the tournament opener.
They backed up their nail-biting win against Ireland in the quarterfinal with a demolition of Argentina last week, displaying their electrifying style of play once again.
At the heart of it has been Ardie Savea (7.0 Credits, 57 Average Fantasy Score), who was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year this week. He has 117 more fantasy points and averages over 18 points more than the next closest loose forward. To put it bluntly, if you don’t have Ardie Savea in your side this week, you have no chance of being one of the top-scoring fantasy teams.
Alongside him in the backrow is a fantasy player who has flown under the radar, Shannon Frizell (6.0 Credits, 35 Average Fantasy Score). He has the fourth most points of any loose forward featuring this week, despite not playing in the opening two games, and has the third-highest average following his 57-point performance against Los Pumas last week.
The All Blacks backline has been delivering the goods all tournament and although they face their toughest test this week, there is no reason to shy away from a Kiwi-heavy selection in the backs department.
Aaron Smith (10.0 Credits, 26.2 Average Fantasy Score) and Richie Mo’unga (13.0 Credits, 44.2 Average Fantasy Score) will be my halfback pairing this week. Both have the most fantasy points in their respective positions whilst also averaging the most points per game, their inclusions should be mandatory.
Outside of them, Will Jordan (8.0 Credits, 70.2 Average Fantasy Score) is a must-have. After scoring a hat-trick last week to equal the record for most tries scored by an individual at a World Cup, Jordan has now scored 31 tries in 30 test matches. The 25-year-old is one of the best try scorers we have ever seen and will need to be heavily involved if the All Blacks are to lift their fourth World Cup trophy.
Centre-pairing Jordie Barrett (8.0 Credits, 41.3 Average Fantasy Score) and Rieko Ioane (10.0 39.6 Average Fantasy Score) are two more excellent options in New Zealand’s high-octane backline.
South Africa key players:
The Springboks are a puzzling side on the fantasy front.
Their highest-scoring player, Cheslin Kolbe, ranks just 26th in the points-scoring charts, whilst most of their starters don’t crack the top 50.
Whilst they are being backed by many to take home their fourth World Cup, loading your fantasy side with Springboks may not be the right strategy.
In saying that, there are a few players who offer value.
Outside of Barrett and Ioane, Damian de Allende (9.0 Credits, 24.3 Average Fantasy Score) averages the most points of any centre and is a reliable choice.
Picking try scorers is going to be the key to success if you’re optimistic about the Springboks so Kurt-Lee Arendse (7.5 Credits, 29.5 Average Fantasy Score) and Cheslin Kolbe (9.5 Credits, 33.3 Average Fantasy Score) could provide that last boost a fantasy side needs if they’re able to cross the whitewash.
Comments on RugbyPass
Can someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to comments