Rugby World Cup Fantasy Rugby: Only four remain... choose wisely
Last weekend may have been the greatest in Rugby World Cup history.
You could not have scripted those four quarterfinals much better. Upset wins, backbreaking defensive stands, late drama, charged down conversions and much, much more.
New Zealand’s win over Ireland was an instant contender for the greatest World Cup game of all time before South Africa and France’s battle joined them in that conversation a day later as we saw the two tournament favourites succumb to the two Southern Hemisphere giants’ big game experience.
Argentina’s comeback win, headlined by some outstanding second half defence, saw Wales crash out of the World Cup whilst England, shockingly, remain as the only unbeaten team left in the tournament following their back-and-forth battle with a valiant Fiji side.
Now, we enter the final four.
In the fantasy world, the gruelling nature of knockout games has resulted in owners clawing and scratching for every point as only four players surpassed 50 points with Ardie Savea’s 66-point haul topping the charts.
This week promises to provide some relief on the fantasy front as two perceived ‘mismatches’ await us, which may open the door to some big scores from the superstars on show.
Semi-Finals News
Fixture List:
Argentina vs New Zealand
England vs South Africa
For the knockout stages, the total budget has been increased to 115 credits as fantasy owners can now select up to five players from each nation for the semi-final stage, this will then increase to six for the bronze final and final next week.
In terms of the boosters, my strategy this week is going to be to use Triple Captain, with one player in particular on my radar. After the boosters were reset following the group stages, you should use one per week for the remainder of the knockouts.
As always, keep an eye on the starting lineups as they’re released to ensure you’re not leaving out any valuable points.
Here is your game-by-game fantasy guide for the semi-finals.
Argentina vs New Zealand
Argentina Key Players:
Los Pumas are going to look to make this game ugly and win it in the trenches.
New Zealand have thumped Argentina their last two outings by an aggregate score of 94-15. However, the matchup before that saw Los Pumas record their first ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand. That game was attritional, physically bruising and Argentina brought a defensive intensity that I had never seen from them before.
To get the same result this weekend, they’ll have to mirror that gameplan meaning the pack will need to step up big time in the defensive department. Therefore, the Argentinian front five is where the fantasy value lies this week.
With that being said, Thomas Gallo (4.5 Credits, 28 Average Fantasy Score) should be an automatic fantasy selection this week. Not only is he the highest scoring prop left in the tournament by a wide margin, but the loosehead has also beaten 18 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, 39 Average Fantasy Score) seems to be the most obvious hooking choice. The Argentinian captain is by far the cheapest of the four starting hookers this week yet has the highest points total, per game average and is the only starting hooker left in the tournament to record a 50+ point fantasy score.
In the engine room, Guido Petti (4.0 Credits, 17.8 Average Fantasy Score) and Marcos Kremer (6.0 Credits, 15.4 Average Fantasy Score) are reliable options, especially at their price points. Both sit in the top five for most fantasy points scored by locks out of those still in the tournament. Whilst their averages aren’t eye-catching, the type of battle that I’m expecting against the All Blacks will require these two to disrupt the breakdown, tackle, and then tackle some more if Los Pumas are to stand a chance.
New Zealand Key Players:
Ever since the All Blacks lost the tournament opener to France, they have been firing on all cylinders.
Their high-octane style of play has catapulted them into the final four after their unforgettable win over Ireland last week, underpinned by their 37-phase defensive stand to seal the game at the end.
At the heart of all of it has been Ardie Savea (7.0 Credits, 55.8 Average Fantasy Score), to nobody’s surprise. He has 83 more fantasy points and averages over 24 points more than the next closest loose forward. Turnovers, try involvements, offloads and ball carrying – Savea is undoubtedly a must-have this week against an Argentina side that New Zealand are expected to cruise past.
Out of both semi-finals this week, this game is likely to feature more running rugby and opportunities in space given the All Blacks’ attacking prowess. Therefore, Richie Mo’unga (13.0 Credits, 37.2 Average Fantasy Score) is the obvious choice at fly-half.
In the centres, I’ll be opting for an all-kiwi look with Jordie Barrett (8.0 Credits, 38.3 Average Fantasy Score) and Rieko Ioane (10.0 43.3 Average Fantasy Score) who will also prove a handful for Los Pumas. Outside of this duo, there is no other centre starting this week who averages over 24 fantasy points per game, making them easy selections.
If you have held onto your triple captain booster, this week might be the perfect time to use it. This matchup promises to be the most attacking-focused of any game remaining in the tournament and if it is, Will Jordan (8.0 Credits, 61.3 Average Fantasy Score) will reap the rewards. Jordan has the most fantasy points of any player left in the tournament, averages the most of any player featuring in the semi-finals and is joint-second in the tryscoring charts.
England vs South Africa
England Key Players:
For England to stand any chance of causing a huge upset against the world champions this week, they are going to have to match them physically.
It isn’t going to be a game where Steve Borthwick’s side look to stretch the Springbok defence but instead, be a gnarly and kick-heavy game that is won up front.
The English pack will have to rise to the occasion and with his big game experience, Maro Itoje (7.0 Credits, 25 Average Fantasy Score) will be one expected to step up. The 28-year-old has the most points of any lock alongside being the only one to average above 18 fantasy points – expect him to be busy in the defensive and set-piece departments this week.
On top of needing to match the Springboks’ intensity in contact, the breakdown will be astronomically important. France were able to win turnovers at crucial moments last week and England will look to do the same with Ben Earl (6.5 Credits, 31 Average Fantasy Score) and Courtney Lawes (6.5 Credits, 31.3 Average Fantasy Score) the main threats. From a fantasy standpoint, Lawes and Earl average the third and fourth most of any loose forward whilst also sitting in the top four for total points.
South Africa Key Players:
Much has been made of England’s scrum-time struggles during the 2019 World Cup final and we see the same head-to-head matchup as we did four years ago with Dan Cole squaring up against Frans Malherbe (6.0 Credits, 17.5 Average Fantasy Score). Malherbe is one of the greatest scrummaging tightheads of all time. He has won 12 scrums outright this tournament, leading him to securing the third most points of any prop left in the tournament and making him a solid choice this week.
Out of the four starting scrum-haves this week, Cobus Reinach (8.5 Credits, 35.3 Average Fantasy Score) is head and shoulders above the others in terms of a fantasy standpoint. He has the most tries, offloads, tackles, carrying metres and linebreaks of the four and averages 13 more points than the next closest one.
If South Africa’s mammoth forward pack are able to win the physical battle and get front foot ball, Kurt-Lee Arendse (7.5 Credits, 32.7 Average Fantasy Score) and Cheslin Kolbe (9.5 Credits, 40.3 Average Fantasy Score) will be able to exploit England’s defensive frailties in the wide channels.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan 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?
235 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.
4 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.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 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
30 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 comments