Some of the best fantasy pickups of the year will face off in this weekend's blockbuster finals fixtures.
Beauden Barrett, Israel Folau, Waisake Naholo, Bernard Foley and Nehe Milner-Skudder have been some of the absolute best in our game in 2015 and highlight some of the best options for your squad this coming round.
Last week, I highlighted the best in each position so far this season from the Highlanders, Chiefs, Stormers and Brumbies squads. Six of those 15 players then featured in our team of the week once the dust was settled.
While that may not seem like an amazing indicator of success, this game has been immensely unpredictable in 2015 and a 40% strike rate is actually a pretty good strike rate.
So, once again, we'll look at the hypothetical dream squad of players for this weekend - all based on season averages and availability.
Front Row:
Dane Coles, Hurricanes, $124,200 - 24.7ppg
Liam Coltman, Highlanders, $56,000 - 13ppg
Reg Goodes, Hurricanes, $50,000 - 12.6ppg
Second Row:
Alex Ainley, Highlanders, $76,100 - 21ppg
James Broadhurst, Hurricanes, $86,000 - 19.08ppg
Back row:
Ardie Savea, Hurricanes, $157,600 - 30.71ppg
David Pocock, Brumbies, $130,900 - 26.46ppg
Michael Hooper, Waratahs, $92,200 - 24.75ppg
Halfback:
TJ Perenara, Hurricanes, $101,600 - 28.29ppg
First five:
Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes, $283,600 - 55.6ppg
Centre/Wing:
Waisake Naholo, Highlanders, $140,500 - 41.75ppg
Julian Savea, Hurricanes, $147,800 - 35.86ppg
Patrick Osborne, Highlanders, $149,000 - 29.13ppg
Taqele Naiyaravoro, Waratahs, $136,900 - 28.14ppg
Fullback:
Israel Folau, Waratahs, $208,100 - 45.25ppg
There are a number of stand-out players in this squad. Dane Coles is streets ahead of any other front rower in fantasy, putting up the stats of a back rower, and is a must-play.
Likewise, TJ Perenara is a cut-above other halfbacks; averaging 11ppg more than his next best competitor this season. That player is Aaron Smith, who has actually turned the tables on Perenara over the past month and is the form play. Flip a coin between these two for your halfback option.
Beauden Barrett, while healthy this season, has been unquestionably the best option at first five averaging 14 more points per game than Bernard Foley, our next best option. If you believe Barrett can play at 100% this week, then plug him in your squad as your captain. Otherwise, the safer bet could be to play him but look for another captaincy option.
Waisake Naholo and Julian Savea are must plays as your centre/wings but it's a toss up between Osborne and Naiyaravoro as well as the in-form Joe Tomane and Adam Ashley-Cooper for your other spots.
If you're a Hurricanes fan, feel free to start Milner-Skudder at fullback. However, note that Folau enters this weekend with better recent and season-long form.
Remember that you can make unlimited trades again this week and that team announcements will be crucial to your decisions, so study wisely.
Get the latest fantasy advice from Dr Stats Thursdays at 6.25pm on Radio Sport with D'Arcy Waldegrave.
On the bench:
Henry Speight, Brumbies (suspended, out for season)
Dan Pryor, Highlanders (out 1 week)
Cory Jane, Hurricanes (out 1 week)
Mark Abbott, Hurricanes (benched)
Callum Gibbins, Hurricanes (dropped)
Reynold Lee-Lo, Hurricanes (benched)
Kurtley Beale, Waratahs (in doubt to play)
Top picks:
Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes
Dane Coles, Hurricanes
Israel Folau, Waratahs
Waidake Naholo, Highlanders
Ardie Savea, Hurricanes
