The fourth of a series of game overviews to give you the ins and outs of the available games in place for this season’s Super Rugby.
If any new games pop up, please let us know at fantasyrugbygeek@gmail.com or @frugbygeek on Twitter.
Next to look at is a name that I am sure you will soon become very familiar with, not only are they producing high quality fantasy games for a wide number of leagues, but they are massively disrupting the way we watch the sport for the better, it’s Rugby Pass.
THE PREMISE
Rugby Pass have previously produced games for the Six Nations, Rugby Championship, Pro 14 and Aviva Premiership, and this is a similar format for Super Rugby.
It’s a salary-cap style game, so you have a budget of $150m to build a squad of 25 players. Your bench doesn’t score points but the large bench will be invaluable for planning for the rounds ahead given the maximum of 3 transfers between round. The large bench also provides the opportunity to add some super cheap players, that you will probably never use, to enable you to select more expensive players elsewhere (an essential strategy when you find the $150m is challenging to stretch).
The scoring is far more granular than typical games, so gives a more satisfying and rewarding experience for the hardcore fantasy rugby fan. When reviewing the scoring we found that you should look for players known for breaking the line, beating defenders, making offloads, winning turnovers and making tackles for a good points return.
You are limited to five players per team, so you can get some good coverage on players lining up against perennial whipping boys the Sunwolves, however you will also need to choose carefully elsewhere.
THE KEY POINTS
- Site: https://fantasy.rugbypass.com/
- Squad Size: 25
- Team size: 15
- Double scoring captain?: Yes
- Designated Kicker?: Yes
- Transfers: 3 between each round
- Max players from one team: 5
THE EDGE
Double check your XV is starting before the round lock
Once the gameweek lock has passed, you cannot change your team. Lineups are usually all announced by Friday afternoon (NZ time), so keep an eye on the lineups and make sure your XV are all starting.
Out-of-position players are worth their weight in gold
Keep an eye on players who are classified in one position but end up playing in another position that may well provide greater returns (think a winger classified as a centre, a loose forward classified as a lock, etc).
Sunwolves
Sadly, the strength of the Sunwolves team does not seem to be improving and with the recent departures of the Kings, they look to be the stand out whipping boys of Super Rugby. In such a competitive competition, you need to find any potential mismatches where you can, and unfortunately the Japanese representatives provide the best opportunity for a mismatch. Wherever possible load up with players who have a fixture against the Sunwolves
Check the stats with the potential to score big
Looking at the points available, certain players should do well. In particular players known for breaking the line (using 2017 stats)…
beating defenders…
making offloads…
and making tackles…
Keep a close eye on the fixture calendar and plan ahead
Keep an eye on the fixture list when making your transfers to ensure that you get the best bang for your buck. If a certain team has a good run of games coming up bring them in. Conversely a side could have an attractive fixture that week but follows up with some tough games against the top dogs, it could be worth reconsidering!
*Round 1 in particular requires close attention as only Sharks, Lions, Stormers & Jaguares are playing.*
In addition to this, you should also consider how much travelling each team has when looking at some of their players, the Bulls for example face a tough stretch in 2018 when they travel to NZ to face the Chiefs and Crusaders, then an away fixture against in Argentina against the Jaguares, followed by a trip to Singapore to play the Sunwolves.
Finally, in every week of the regular season at least one team will be on a bye, so ensure a good even spread of representatives from each team so that you don’t get stung if several teams are on a bye. Below is a full list of 2018 byes.
Bye weeks…
Round 1 – All NZ sides, All AUS Sides, Sunwolves and Bulls
Round 2 – Sharks
Round 3 – Highlanders
Round 4 – Chiefs
Round 5 – Hurricanes
Round 6 – Brumbies, Waratahs, Blues
Round 7 – Sunwolves, Jaguares, Reds
Round 8 – Blues, Rebels, Highlanders
Round 9 – Stormers, Lions, Crusaders
Round 10 – Hurricanes
Round 11 – Sharks, Waratahs, Chiefs
Round 12 – Sunwolves, Brumbies, Reds
Round 13 – Jaguares
Round 14 – Rebels
Round 15 – Blues
Round 16 – All SA Sides and Jaguares
Round 17 – Crusaders
Round 18 – Lions
Round 19 – Stormers
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