Article on recommended buys for Fantasy Rugby this season.
A host of new features, including comprehensive stats overlay and useful predictor tools have also been added to give rugby coaches more information on their players than ever before.
But as always, the most important part of any SuperCoach season is the initial team selection — get it right and you’ll leave your mates languishing on the bottom of your league ladder.
Get it wrong … and it’s a long season ahead.
To help you, we’ve picked out the best bargain and the must haves in each position
PROPS
Must have: Frans Malherbe (Stormers, $238,900) — The injury prone prop is a powerhouse when right, but a three-month absence due to concussion in 2014 restricted him to just nine appearances. The absence of Pat Cilliers places more pressure on the Stormers’ scrum, and Malherbe will be the man to lead an inexperienced pack in 2015.
Bargain: Tetera Faulkner (Force, $115,000) — Faulkner was rewarded for solid, if not outstanding performances in 2014 with selection on the Wallabies’ spring tour. Two appearances off the bench yielded little to write home about, but no doubt his confidence is sky high and at $115,000 is available at a rock bottom price.
HOOKERS
Must have: Adriaan Strauss (Bulls, $410,200) — The former Cheetahs captain made the move to Pretoria in the off season and looks set to slot straight into their front row. Expect a greater output from him in a vastly stronger team.
Bargain: Ged Robinson (Crusaders, $210,000) — The Highlanders’ loss is the Crusaders’ gain. Robinson looks superbly priced in 2015 — for $50,000 less than the Crusaders’ other option at hooker, Ben Funnell, you get a player who averaged five points per game more in 2014.
LOCKS
Must have: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, $380,100) — Tuipulotu burst onto the scene in 2014, finishing the year with the highest average output of any lock — a staggering 3.4 points per game more than any other player in his position. Now with international experience behind him, expect the 22-year-old to produce big things for the Blues in 2015.
Bargain: Will Skelton (Waratahs, $250,100) — You might say $250,100 is no bargain, but it’s all relative, right? The loss of Kane Douglas should lead to more minutes for the monster Tah, and much has been said about his big off-season. A nice buy.
BACK ROWERS
Must have: Warren Whiteley (Lions, $450,100) — Whiteley comes in $87,400 below the game’s most expensive back rower Ben McCalman, despite a higher average output in 2014. Forced his way into the Springboks setup after a brilliant Super Rugby campaign. Expect him to lead from the front once again in 2015.
Bargain: Boom Prinsloo (Cheetahs, $360,100) — Once again it’s all relative on the bargain front. Back rowers dwarf all other forwards in their SuperCoach output, and Prinsloo’s average score of 23.4 makes him a steal at his current quote. A big clear out at the Cheetahs means more minutes for the 104kg loose forward.
SCRUMHALVES
Must have: Nic White (Brumbies, $220,100) — White’s stocks have risen in recent years, providing solid competition for Australia’s leading scrumhalves Nick Phipps and Will Genia. A handy long distance goalkicker, White will be determined to finish his final season in Super Rugby with a trophy and World Cup selection.
Bargain: Jimmy Cowan (Blues, $150,000) — Cowan returns to Super Rugby from Gloucester and should slot straight into the Blues’ starting XV in place of Piri Weepu. At best, he is the most-loved cheapie in the game. At worst, he is a cash cow for SuperCoaches.
Must have: Bernard Foley (Waratahs, $530,100) — Just edges out Beauden Barrett as top pick, purely in the value for money stakes — Foley averages 4.2 points per game more than Barrett for less than $20,000 extra outlay. If you have the money, get him. If funds become tight, look at the well-priced Colin Slade ($350,100).
Bargain: Duncan Paia’aua (Reds, $100,000) — The former Brisbane Broncos rookie appears set to get first crack at filling in for the injured Quade Cooper in the Reds’ No. 10 jersey. He is THE cheapest flyhalf in the game and if nothing else will make SuperCoaches a lot of cash in the early rounds.
CENTRES
Must have: Damian de Allende (Stormers, $402,800) — The game’s third most expensive centre after a breakout season in 2014 which saw him earn three Springboks caps. A long-term injury to centre partner Jean de Villiers heaps more pressure on the youngster, but the skipper’s absence also makes him reasonable value at his current quote.
CENTRES
Must have: Damian de Allende (Stormers, $402,800) — The game’s third most expensive centre after a breakout season in 2014 which saw him earn three Springboks caps. A long-term injury to centre partner Jean de Villiers heaps more pressure on the youngster, but the skipper’s absence also makes him reasonable value at his current quote.
Bargain: Samu Kerevi (Reds, $270,100) — Big things were expected of Kerevi in last season before injury restricted him to just four Super Rugby appearances, scoring 24.5 points on average in that time. Made a huge impact for Brisbane City in the NRC and looks set to become a SuperCoach favourite in 2015.
OUTSIDE BACKS
Must have: Israel Folau (Waratahs, $550,200) — He is the game’s most expensive player but worth every penny. Folau is a try scoring machine and his average output of 37.5 points per game is just outrageous in SuperCoach terms — only two other outside backs have a mean score above 22!
Bargain: Dane Haylett-Petty (Force, $260,000) — Ready to make his presence felt at the Force after nine appearances averaging 18.1 last year.
