Being the overall global champion of a fantasy rugby competition is a huge achievement, even more so when it is for a tournament as popular as the Six Nations and in a game as widely played as Superbru. We had the pleasure of getting in touch with the 2018 Six Nations global champion on Superbru, James, who gave us some insight into what it takes to beat thousands of other avid fantasy rugby players and take top spot, as a true fantasy rugby expert, as the tournament came to it’s close…
FRG: First of all congratulations again on an amazing victory in the Superbru Six Nations league, coming top of the world is a serious achievement! Are you a regular fantasy rugby player?
James: I started playing Superbru during the Rugby World Cup 2015, and now play most of the major tournaments including the English Premiership, Pro14, Super rugby etc. My favourite event of the year however is the annual Six nations fantasy pool with my mates from back home, and my Fiance joined us this year too (but probably just so she could pick Dan Biggar every week!)
FRG: Did you have a strategy in your team selection or was it more a case of going with your gut feeling?
James: I normally try to look at the form of the players in each round, especially toward the start of the tournament, when the players are coming off performances in their club tournaments. Theres often a certain advantage to picking players in teams that are likely to win, so that plays a role too. Im probably more of an analyser than a gut feeling player, (some might say over-analyser!).
FRG: What was your best moment of the Six Nations in context of the fantasy game?
James: Probably watching Sam Simmonds tear it up in the very first round against Italy. He has been arguably the best back rower in the English Premiership this season and I knew he would get me points. As captain he won me 71 of them, which is ridiculous!
FRG: What was your best transfer decision for your fantasy team in this year’s Six Nations?
James: Hmm, looking back, probably bringing in North for the fourth round, and making him captain. A bit of a risk seeing as it was his first start, and hes been injured a lot recently. Goes to show what a class player he is. He probably sealed that round for me, so in hindsight, he was my best transfer.
FRG: How did it feel going into the final round knowing that you had a chance to win the whole thing?
James: Surprisingly nervous! I knew in advance what kind of round I needed, but suddenly the picks you make take on a different atmosphere! It took me a long time to settle on my team!
FRG: At what point during the tournament did you begin to believe that you could win the league?
James: Not for a while! Right from the start I knew I was doing well, thanks Simmonds! But until that fourth round, when my key Wales players made big points (North and Tipuric), I didnt think the global top spot was on. The last round was a pretty low scorer with some disappointingly low action games. When Fickou went over for his try I knew there was a huge chance that I could take the top spot. He was playing out of position on the wing, but I think he is one of the best centres in world rugby, and I had to get him in my team, despite the risk. Maybe he was my best transfer when I think about it!
FRG: If there’s one single tip that you’d give to a new Fantasy Rugby manager, what would it be?
James: I think your team needs to balanced. My tip would be to select a core base of popular players that you know will perform solidly, and take some calculated risks on others. If you pick the most popular, or highest scoring players so far in the tournament, in every round, you will never get ahead of the pack.
FRG: Did you use any specific websites or resources to help your team planning?
James: Mostly just PlanetRugby for the starting teams, which are released in good time before each round.
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