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Rugby World Cup Fantasy Rugby: The rules just changed
What an unbelievable close to the pool stages we witnessed. Samoa came inches away from recording one of the biggest upsets in tournament history as they narrowly fell to England whilst Ireland, France and the All Blacks continued their white-hot form with emphatic wins.
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Sunday then hosted three ‘game of the tournament’ contenders, starting with Argentina edging out Japan in a high-octane affair before Tonga and Romania shared a wild shootout, but the best was saved until last.
Portugal’s last-gasp win over Fiji sealed their first-ever World Cup victory, brought a close to the most chaotic pool in tournament history and provided the perfect send-off to a thrilling opening stanza of the competition.
Despite the prospect of some mouth-watering matchups in the quarterfinals, the conclusion of the pool stages sees us wave goodbye to some fantasy warriors.
At the top of that list is Portuguese duo, Nicolas Martins and Raffaele Storti.
Martins was a dream for fantasy owners. He was the highest-scoring lock by a landslide after taking the tournament by storm and at just 3.0 credits, was comfortably the most valuable player of the pool stages.
Tonga’s Ben Tameifuna and Japan’s Michael Leitch will also be missed as they hauled in the most fantasy points for a prop and loose forward respectively, with Leitch also being the most popular ‘defensive king’ selection.
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In the backs, Georgia’s electric 21-year-old winger Davit Niniashvili set the pool stages alight, scoring the fifth most points of any player whilst Scotland’s Darcy Graham recorded the third highest points total, alongside securing the highest individual score of the pool stages with 195 points against Romania.
The pool stages will leave fond memories, but now we enter the business end of the tournament.
Quarter-finals news
Fixture List:
Wales vs Argentina
Ireland vs New Zealand
England vs Fiji
France vs South Africa
For the knockout stages, the total budget has been increased to 115 credits whilst fantasy owners can now select up to four players from each nation for the quarterfinal stage, this will then increase to five for the semi-finals and six for the bronze final and final.
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Following the conclusion of the pool stages, the three ‘boosters’ on offer (Triple Captain, Super Kicker and Defensive King) have been reset and with there being three knockout stages, one booster needs to be used each round.
My strategy is going to be to use the ‘Defensive King’ booster for the quarterfinals with one player in particular on my radar whilst saving the ‘Triple Captain’ booster for a potential mismatch in the semi-finals before using the ‘Super Kicker’ for the bronze final and final.
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 complete position-by-position fantasy guide for the first week of the knockout stages.
Props
Thomas Gallo (Argentina): 4.5 Credits, 29.7 Average Fantasy Score
Thomas Gallo has flown well under the radar so far.
He has registered the second most fantasy points of any prop but boasts the highest average by over five points a game.
As well as that, he has won 11 scrums outright in just three starts and recorded 32 points alone from beating defenders.
The powerful loosehead should continue going about his business this week and be one of the top point-scoring props this round.
Tomas Francis (Wales): 5.0 Credits, 24.3 Average Fantasy Score
With Tomas Francis, you pretty much know exactly what you’re going to get.
He has registered the second most tackles of any prop left in the tournament and has won 13 scrums outright so far.
Whilst he isn’t the busiest prop in the loose, the defensive and set-piece numbers are unmatched and are why he has scored the most fantasy points of any prop left in the competition.
Luke Tagi (Fiji): 3.5 Credits, 21.8 Average Fantasy Score
Even with the increased budget, the number of superstars in high-scoring positions means that you should be targeting cheaper options at prop, and Tagi is the perfect player for that.
The Fijian heavyweight has registered the third most points of all props still left in the tournament and is the cheapest option out of anyone.
Tagi has stepped up massively for Fiji this tournament and with his big ball-carrying and scrum stability, he is an excellent choice once again.
Hookers
Peato Mauvaka (France): 8.0 Credits, 44.8 Average Fantasy Score
Many questions were raised when France’s first-choice hooker Julien Marchand was ruled out of the tournament after picking up an injury against New Zealand, but Mauvaka has comprehensively quashed all those doubts.
He has been integral to France’s success so far, registering four try involvements on top of his 26 tackles and 131 metres made.
The 26-year-old has 60 more fantasy points than the second-highest-scoring hooker and has the highest average by some distance making him the obvious choice this round.
Locks
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): 8.5 Credits, 35.3 Average Fantasy Score
Outside of Portugal’s Nicolas Martins, Tadhg Beirne has been the most prolific lock in fantasy rugby during this World Cup.
With 141 total points at an average of over 35 a game, it’s no wonder why 22% of fantasy owners have the dynamic send rower in their side.
Beirne has built up a history of performing on the big stage so I’m expecting a big game from him which should reflect in a handsome fantasy haul.
Will Rowlands (Wales): 5.5 Credits, 30.7 Average Fantasy Score
Wales broke a record in the World Cup opener making 253 tackles against Fiji, the most ever by a team in a World Cup fixture.
On that day, Rowlands made 27 tackles, forced four turnovers and recorded 48 fantasy points.
Out of the remaining locks in the competition, Rowlands has the second-highest average and points total, making him a bargain at just 5.5 credits.
The 32-year-old is a crucial part of Wales’ swarming defence and will need to play a similar role as he did against Fiji to ensure Wales get over the line.
Loose Forwards
Charles Ollivon (France): 7.0 Credits, 43.7 Average Fantasy Score
In a team full of superstars, Ollivon has been one of the unsung heroes for France this World Cup.
Ever industrious, the 30-year-old has proven his importance to this French side, especially in their defensive system.
In what should be a gritty affair against the Springboks, expect Ollivon to accumulate a stack of fantasy points in the defensive areas.
Ardie Savea (New Zealand): 7.0 Credits, 52.3 Average Fantasy Score
Ardie Savea is a gun.
If the All Blacks have any chance of denying Ireland their first-ever semi-final appearance, Savea will need to be prominent. He’ll be tasked with disrupting rucks, busting through the Irish defence and causing chaos in the wide channels with ball in hand.
In the fantasy landscape, he has scored the most points of any loose forward left at the World Cup and is the only one to average over 50 points.
No matter the opposition, Savea will perform and undoubtedly be one of the best-scoring back rowers in the fantasy world again this week.
Jac Morgan (Wales): 6.5 Credits, 40.7 Average Fantasy Score
As I alluded to at the start of the article, I’m going to be deploying the ‘Defensive King’ booster this week, and Jac Morgan will be the man I use it on.
The Welsh captain has been a revelation this tournament. He’s made 44 tackles, three turnovers and scored two tries across his three starts, leading him to the third-highest average of any loose forward left at the World Cup.
Throughout the pool stages, Wales have proven that their steely nature in defence makes them tough to beat.
Against an Argentina side that will look to stretch Wales’ stringent defence, I’m expecting Morgan to be heavily involved in the defensive duties, both in contact and at the breakdown.
Scrum-halves
Antoine Dupont (France): 11.0 Credits, 67 Average Fantasy Score
He’s back.
Despite fracturing his cheekbone against Namibia just over three weeks ago, the best player in the world has recovered in time to lead his side into their monumental clash against the world champions.
From a fantasy standpoint, this doesn’t need overthinking.
Dupont is a magician, and he’s proven time and time again that he can do it in the biggest of games and this week should be no different.
He is at the heart of everything France do, especially from an attacking standpoint and it’s shown with three try assists, seven offloads and a 67 average fantasy score, all in under 130 minutes of playing time.
South Africa will undoubtedly have a plan to try and silence the maestro, but he has always found a way to make a positive impact on games, even against defensive-minded sides.
Fly-halves
Johnny Sexton (Ireland): 13.0 Credits, 35.5 Average Fantasy Score
Johnny Sexton is arguably the most important facet of Ireland’s lethal attack.
The 38-year-old, who announced he will be retiring at the end of the tournament, won’t want to make this his final game and will look to steer the number one side in the world to their first-ever semi-final.
There is no side in the world where players understand their role in attack as well as Ireland, which is why they’re so dangerous and it’s spearheaded by Sexton and his patented ‘loop around’ set play.
I believe Ireland are going to have success this weekend against an All Blacks side that doesn’t play a typical ‘blitz’ style of defence.
Combining that with Sexton’s elite kicking abilities off the tee is why I believe he will be the highest scoring fly-half this week.
Centres
Bundee Aki (Ireland): 9.5 Credits, 65.5 Average Fantasy Score
There is no debate surrounding the fact that Bundee Aki has been one of the best players in this tournament.
He has registered the most carries and the second-most linebreaks of any player this tournament on top of his four tries.
It has reflected in the fantasy landscape and leaves him with the second most points of any player left in the competition, and the most of any centre by some distance.
Ireland have a lot of weapons in their arsenal but Aki is their heaviest piece of artillery and should prove a handful for the All Blacks, particularly if Rieko Ioane is targeted in the outside centre channel.
George North (Wales): 7.5 Credits, 47.7 Average Fantasy Score
George North has recaptured his form of old this World Cup.
Back to his brutal best, the 31-year-old has fully adjusted to the outside centre position, making him pivotal in Wales’ success so far, and it’s shown in the fantasy world.
North has the second-highest average fantasy score of any centre left at the World Cup and the fourth-highest points total, despite only starting three pool games.
Wales will look to target Argentina’s inexperienced centre pairing this weekend and I believe North will add to his two tries and four linebreaks and reward fantasy owners.
Outside Backs
Damian Penaud (France): 10.0 Credits, 100 Average Fantasy Score
As most people expected, Damian Penaud has been phenomenal so far.
He is the tournament’s top tryscorer, crossing the line six times in just three games and is just two scores away from equalling Bryan Habana’s record of eight tries in a World Cup campaign.
The electric winger is the only player to average a triple-digit fantasy score, has the highest points total of all the remaining players and averages 20 more fantasy points than the next closest player.
At just 27 years old, Penaud is a perennial whitewash crosser and if France are to have success against South Africa this week, he will be heavily involved.
Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales): 8.0 Credits, 45.3 Average Fantasy Score
Speed kills, and Rees-Zammit is one of the quickest players we’ve ever seen.
That express pace has seen him score five tries this tournament, equal for second best, alongside four linebreaks and over 250 run metres.
Wales’ attack has been firing on all cylinders and if they’re to have success against Los Pumas this week, Rees lightning will need to be heavily involved.
Hugo Keenan (Ireland): 8.0 Credits, 34.8 Average Fantasy Score
I usually steer clear of selecting fullbacks in the outside back position, but I’ve got a feeling about Hugo Keenan this week.
He has started every game for Ireland at this World Cup and has been instrumental in their rise to the number-one ranked side in the world.
Keenan’s intelligence of when to inject himself into the Irish attacking line, paired with his silky running and link play is what makes him one of the best fullbacks in the world and is why he can have success this week when Ireland manage to get front foot ball in the red zone.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments