Super Rugby Review Round 2: So Sharpe

It may say Round 2, but last week was the first proper week of Super Rugby. With all countries finally up and running, and 14 of the 15 teams having played at least one game, we are back in business.

And what a weekend. The early morning games between the Chiefs and Crusaders, and the Blues and Highlanders were two of the most entertaining games of the year. The Chiefs laid down a marker that it'll take a special team to deny them from a historic threepeat, while the Highlanders threatened to show that their season will be vastly improved from last year.

In other games, the Brumbies showed that the loss of Jake White will hamper them this season, losing to the Reds in a game that you sense would have gone their way last year; Israel Folau showed that he can get even better than last season with a fantastic performance. While the Lions shocked everyone (again) with another victory against a lacklustre Stormers team.

Some talented players have been introduced to us, with Marnitz Boshoff, Alofa Alofa, Kane Hames and Patrick Tuipulotu and Malakai Fekitoa showing that they have promising careers ahead of them.


In the fantasy leagues; Nathan Sharpe not only distanced himself from everyone, but is in the top 10 overall. Challenge extended.

All players had good results, with 2011, 2012 and 2013 Head to Head champion Cillian Hogan bringing himself back into the fold with a big score of 384 points. Other big scores came from Simon Farrell, William Kedjanyi and Calum Gilon improving their totals.

The head to head league had some interesting results, with Alex Shaw proving that he is 21 points better than average, and a number of matchs having both players with over 300 points.

Notable matchups next week include Alex Shaw v Garbhan Hogan, and Calum Gillon getting his chance to prove that he is better than normal.

Round 3 Teams: 

Best of luck to everyone, let the trash talk begin.

Super Rugby Review Round 1

It's back and bigger and better than ever before. Yes, the fantasy competition has finally kicked off after days of questionable marketing, this year's competition promises to be the most competitive, banterful and best yet. Oh, and the rugby wasn't too bad.

Cheetahs 20-21 Lions

The re-instated Lions are not expected to do much in this year's competition. Up until the 60th minute in this tie, they weren't expected to do much at all. Elgar Watts came on for the Cheetahs, and between some terrible placekicking and some basic errors, a long drop goal from 20 year old debutante Marnite Boshoff gave the Lions an unexpected win. The majority of their good play rested on the shoulders of their backrow, with Jaco Kriel carrying very well and Derek Minnie and Warren Whitely also performing well. In the backs, Lionel Mapoe gives Boshoff and outlet, and all five along with Springbok Franco van der Merwe will need big seasons in order to beat the performances of the Kings last season. It's hard to say what went wrong for the Cheetahs, with the backline looking impressive. Willie le Roux pulled the strings and created tries for both wingers. The pack needs to up it another gear to get back to last seasons form, while another game could iron out some of the mistakes that crept in. Johan Goosen finally got through a game, and his fitness will be vital to the Cheetahs playoff hopes.

Sharks 31-16 Bulls

Last season's Currie Cup was confirmation that with the unprecedented volume of departures from Loftus Versfeld, that the Bulls will struggle this season. The young team did well to stay competitive and in the game for as long as they did, but Pat Lambie's last minute try puts some gloss on the performance and gave the "Shorks" all five match points. For the "Shorks", it was a perfect opening to life under Jake White, and they will be hoping that Pat Lambie kicks on now that he has been given a position to make his own.

Dream Team

1. Julian Redelinghuys 22 LIONS
2. Adriaan Strauss 39 Cheetahs
3. Tendai Mtwararira 20 "SHORKS"
4. Franco van der Merwe 19 LIONS
5. Flip van der Merwe 15 BULLS
6. Marcell Coetzee 37 "SHORKS"
7. Lappies Labuschagne 31 CHEETAHS
8. Philip van der Walt 29 CHEETAHS
9. Cobus Reinach 30 "SHORKS"
10. Pat Lambie 44 "SHORKS"
11. Lwazi Mvovo 31 "SHORKS"
12. Francois Venter 22 CHEETAHS
13. Paul Jordaan 37 "SHORKS"
14. Cornal Hendricks 32 CHEETAHS
15. Willie le Roux 31 "CHEETAHS"

An intriguing dream team selection so far, with try scorers dominating the backline although creator Willie le Roux sneaks in ahead of Raymond Rhule. Workhorses feature in the pack, with Coetzee's 15 tackles earning him a lot of points, and the unheard of Julian Redelinghuys earning Football Manager gem status by not putting a foot wrong in earning the top prop spot for the week. With the rest of the competition starting this week, managers have to balance their teams carefully. A long way to go.

TwitterFight

A number of people have asked if it's too late to enter. A look at the table below will tell you. Places 3rd to 19th are still wide open. And the players in the head to head, but not classic can join the classic league with their current team and points too.

New entries here

Head to Head

Some intriguing fixtures thrown up already, with last year's champion falling to Alex Shaw sport (@alexshawsport), can he make it two in a row next week by proving he is better than average? While Cillian Hogan's Poseidon's Belvedere will be in "the trenches" with the competition leader.

A look at the table shows the beauty of head to head, with Northern Stereotype in 11th with 48 points ahead of DJ's army with 267 points in 12th possy.

The week is sure to be full of boasting, name calling and the occasional cry in the bathroom as #fantsbants moves to Round 2.

First Timer's Guide to Fantasy Super Rugby

Tired of a boring Irish Times fantasy rugby that only rewards tries and man of the match performances? Are you already too far ahead or behind your competitors and seeking a new challenge? Super Rugby is starting soon, and the fantasy competition provided by foxsports.com.au is one of the best I've ever seen. Thinking of having a go? Here are some tips for the first time fantasy rugby player.

Look at the Rules first

(Provided below) Each fantasy competition is different, some reward points for tries and wins, others go into more detail. This is one of those competition. You wouldn't pick a world XV in a fantasy team geared towards tries, just like you don't pick a fantasy team solely to get tries for this fantasy.

Work Rate is key

Players who work hard, who make lots of tackles and lots of runs, the points add up quickly and are worthy additions to your team. Northern Hemisphere equivalents could be Courtney Lawes, Dan Lydiate or Theirry Dusautoir, players who work hard but never score tries. These players would consistently bring points.

Avoid Centres and Scrumhalves

Centres and Scrumhalves are traditionally the lowest scoring positions in the competition. Don't waste valuable budget money on getting expensive ones. Best served elsewhere

Players who play out of position

Players like Steven Luatua last year, who was down as a lock, but played as a blindside flanker, earned huge points as a second row. There is usually one player who plays several positions, and different positions generally give more points.

Pick Players who actually play

Crucial. The biggest problem for team owners is managing the schedule. Not every team plays every week. Plus the comp is long; at 16 weeks plus finals, players will be rotated in and out. You have to make sure that you have 15 guys earning you points every single week. Look ahead at the fixture list and try to avoid obvious conflicts early.

Also beware of picking the big stars, especially in New Zealand. Do you really want to pick Richie McCaw or Kieran Read when they’re likely to be put in cotton wool at the slightest hint of injury? Instead that money might be better spent on someone like Michael Hooper, who will play 80 minutes nearly all season long. Similarly, I’d be pretty wary about picking either Bernard Foley or Kurtley Beale until you get some sense of who’s going to be starting; you’d have to doubt that either of them will be playing a full match every week just at the moment.

Don't avoid weak teams

This competition is ultra competitive, that just because a team is miles down the table doesn't mean they don't have fantasy gems. Ben Smith was a banker last season for the underperforming Highlanders, while Ged Robinson gained huge points playing for the Rebels. (Robinson has since left the Rebels).

Value over Replacement

While Israel Folau is nearly guaranteed to get you mega points, it'll definitely cost you mega bucks. It might be worth going for someone less expensive who could still rake in the points. Some positions have more points depth than others. It's all about what works for you.

FANTASY RULES

During the 2014 Super Rugby season, the players will be allocated a Fantasy point score after each match, based on their performances in the 2014 Super Rugby matches and the scoring system below. Only player performances in official 2014 Super Rugby matches are included in the scoring for Fantasy Super Rugby. The Fantasy points will be calculated using statistics supplied by the Promoter's data provider. The Promoter will not enter into any correspondence relating to the allocation of Fantasy points to players. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of this data and the Promoter's decision is final and binding.

Actions occurring in extra time count towards points scored. Points are awarded as set out in the table below:

Action                                                                                                                                          Points

Playing 1 - 60 minutes                                                                                                                  1
Props that play more than 60 minutes                                                                                            4
Hookers, locks and backrowers that play more than 61 minutes                                                    3
All other positions playing more than 61 minutes                                                                            2
For each try scored by a prop or hooker                                                                                     15
For each try scored by a lock or backrower                                                                                12
For each try scored by a scrum-half, fly-half, centre or outside back                                             10
For each try assist                                                                                                                        5
For each try save                                                                                                                         5
For each conversion                                                                                                                     2
For each conversion miss                                                                                                             -1
For each penalty goal                                                                                                                   3
For each penalty miss                                                                                                                  -1
For each drop goal                                                                                                                       3
For each drop goal miss                                                                                                              -1
Yellow card                                                                                                                                -5
Red card                                                                                                                                     -15
For each run                                                                                                                                 1
For each tackle bust                                                                                                                      2
For each offload                                                                                                                            1
For each linebreak                                                                                                                        5
For each linebreak creates                                                                                                             3
For each error                                                                                                                              -3
For each tackle made by a prop or hooker                                                                                     2
For each tackle made by all other positions                                                                                     1
For each tackle miss                                                                                                                     -2
For each lineout take on own throw                                                                                                1
For each lineout steal on opposition throw                                                                                     4
For each lineout error, includes not straight, throw error or jump error                                           -3
For each tight head won, awarded to entire front row                                                                    7
For each tight head lost, awarded to entire front row                                                                     -3
For each pilfer                                                                                                                              4
For each turn over forced                                                                                                              3
For each penalty - long arm                                                                                                           -4

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Provincial Players to Watch During the 6 Nations

With the excitement of the 6 Nations after just kicking off, the provinces are due for some stretching in the next few weeks. With 4 Pro 12 games coming up while players are on international duty, and the interprovicial A games due too, there is a chance for some fringe players to stake a claim for a starting spot come the business end of the season. Here are the players from Munster, Leinster and Ulster who can do just that.

Andrew Conway

With Felix Jones still with the Ireland squad and Keith Earls out injured, Conway could be one of the beneficiaries. If he performs well or anywhere near the potential he showed at schools level, he has every chance of hanging onto a back three spot, or a bench place at worst. 

Rory Scholes

He's had a torrid time with injuries since he starred at the JWC, but it looks like Scholes might be back soon. Gilroy and Bowe may feature for Ulster as they battle back from injury, but once they graduate, their absence and Trimble's, means there will be a spots open alongside Michael Allen, and Scholes is the brightest prospect to fill them.

Chris Farrell

Like Scholes, Farrell has had a dreadful time with injuries in the last few seasons. Darren Cave and Luke Marshall are absent from the Ulster squad at the moment, so Ulster could do with Farrell overcoming his injuries and lacing up against the Ospreys, Scarlets, Treviso and Dragons.

James McKinney

Despite Paddy Jackson being the only outhalf ahead of him, McKinney finds himself left out of 23s due to Ruan Pienaar's versatility on a regular basis. He displayed the calmness needed at Under 20 level, showing glimpses this season that he's pushed on too. These four games will be huge for his development, and playing with Pienaar will help.

Luke McGrath

I mention McGrath everytime I do a post like this, but with Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan still with Ireland, Leinster are having a glimpse into the not too distant future with McGrath and Cooney battling for starts.

Jack O'Connell

With both props ahead of him with Ireland, O'Connell has a chance to either displace McGrath on the bench, or to put himself in the shop window for other teams. If he continues his improvement, he will show in these games that he is too good to be 3rd choice for any rugby team.

Niall Annett

Like McGrath, Annett is a regular in these posts. This time though, Rob Herring is on the cusp of the Ireland squad, and won't be fully featuring in Ulster training midweek. Annett could seize this opportunity and have grasped the back up slot to Rory Best by the time they come back.

Tadhg Furlong

With Leinster the only province to supply tighthead props to the national set up, it is they who will have to give an opportunity to the next in line. Tadhg Furlong is that man, and he has been whispered as another solution to the easing tighthead crisis. An extended run in the team will show that for sure, with Zebre, Dragons, Cardiff and Glasgow likely to test him.

Quinn Roux

The arrival of McCarthy and the quick ascension from Toner has left the former Springbok prodigy with limited opportunities. If he wants to start turning things around, he'll have to start in this window, when he is likely to be given a chance. He has the most potential of all the remaining lock, and is one player I'm looking forward to the most.

Paddy Butler

Tommy O'Donnell and Peter O'Mahony's absence means that the backlog of Munster backrows will have eased. With CJ Stander permanently on the A side, this means that Butler could have a chance while O'Mahony is away. A very similar player to O'Mahony, he will be looking to make sure that Munster barely notice that their captain is gone.

Sean Doyle

Doyle prospered during Chris Henry's recent injury, and with Henry again unavailable to Ulster, Doyle could get another shot at the openside flank. The 24 year old Australian who will be Irish qualified in two years, will not want to give his jersey up as easily as Henry got it on his return.