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Rugby World Cup Fantasy Rugby: No value in Boks
By Cameron Stephens
World Rugby Fantasy Rugby: After 51 days, 48 games, and countless heart-stopping moments, it all comes down to this.
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Rugby’s greatest rivalry encounters its next chapter as the Springboks and All Blacks square off for the ultimate prize, with the winner moving into the solo lead for the most World Cup winners’ medals of all time.
England and Argentina’s second meeting of the tournament is also set to be a fiery affair as Los Pumas look to exact their revenge after falling to Steve Borthwick’s side in their opening game of the tournament whilst England bid for their first-ever third-place finish.
This week is the final chance to be bold and make a final run at fantasy glory.
Final and Bronze Final news
Fixture List:
England vs Argentina
New Zealand vs South Africa
For the knockout stages, the total budget has been increased to 115 credits as fantasy owners can now select up to six players from each nation for the bronze final and final this week.
In terms of the boosters, you should have one remaining after they were reset following the pool stages. The strategy of playing a defensive king in the quarterfinals and then using the triple captain on Will Jordan, who scored 106 fantasy points in his hat-trick performance last week, has been the perfect play. If you have done that, the super kicker, which doubles all a player’s kicking points, will be the final booster to use.
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Here is your game-by-game fantasy guide for the final week of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
England vs Argentina
England key players:
After the gruelling nature of last week’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa, I’m expecting England to change their approach and adopt a more free-flowing style in their bid for a first-ever World Cup bronze medal.
The recall of Henry Arundell (7.0 Credits, 128 Average Fantasy Score) into the back three is an indication of the approach England are going to take. The electric 20-year-old has featured just once this tournament, despite scoring five tries in that solo appearance, and is the perfect X-factor choice for fantasy owners who need to take a gamble in the final week.
Another young superstar that could turn the tide for fantasy owners this week is Marcus Smith (10.0 Credits, 26.8 Average Fantasy Score) who comes back into the side at fullback. Although he won’t get the benefit of kicking goals, if England are to deploy a run-first style of rugby, Smith will be at the heart of it.
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In the pack, there are two non-negotiable selections from a fantasy standpoint. Maro Itoje (7.0 Credits, 25.4 Average Fantasy Score) has the most points of any lock alongside being the only one to average above 21 fantasy points whilst Ben Earl (6.5 Credits, 28 Average Fantasy Score), who has been England’s best player this campaign, has the second most fantasy points of any loose forward behind Ardie Savea.
Two others that could provide fantasy owners with a final shot of momentum are Ellis Genge (6.0 Credits, 14 Average Fantasy Score) and Joe Marchant (7.0 Credits, 16.5 Average Fantasy Score) who both can rack up big scores with their ball-carrying threats.
Argentina key players:
All the noise from the Los Pumas camp has been about the importance of this final game after they endured the second-biggest semi-final loss of all time to the All Blacks last weekend.
On top of wanting to right the wrongs of last week, they will be desperate to exact their revenge on England after being dismantled by them in their opening game of the tournament.
Thomas Gallo (4.5 Credits, 29.6 Average Fantasy Score) is an automatic fantasy selection this week. He has 62 more fantasy points than the next closest prop and averages over 13 points per game more than the second-best. The loosehead has also beaten 20 defenders this tournament, the most of any forward and the all-time record for a front rower at a World Cup.
Alongside him, Julian Montoya (7.5 Credits, 36.6 Average Fantasy Score) is the premium choice at hooker. The Argentinian captain is two credits cheaper than both Codie Taylor and Bongi Mbonambi yet has the highest points total and per-game average of the three.
In the engine room, Marcos Kremer (6.0 Credits, 16.2 Average Fantasy Score) is a reliable option, especially at his price point. He has the fourth most points of any lock and his defensive abilities are a dependable source of points. On top of that, he needs to make just ten tackles this week to break the record for most tackles by an individual at a World Cup, so he will be hunting for involvement.
New Zealand vs South Africa
New Zealand key players:
The All Blacks have looked borderline unplayable ever since their loss to France in the tournament opener.
They backed up their nail-biting win against Ireland in the quarterfinal with a demolition of Argentina last week, displaying their electrifying style of play once again.
At the heart of it has been Ardie Savea (7.0 Credits, 57 Average Fantasy Score), who was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year this week. He has 117 more fantasy points and averages over 18 points more than the next closest loose forward. To put it bluntly, if you don’t have Ardie Savea in your side this week, you have no chance of being one of the top-scoring fantasy teams.
Alongside him in the backrow is a fantasy player who has flown under the radar, Shannon Frizell (6.0 Credits, 35 Average Fantasy Score). He has the fourth most points of any loose forward featuring this week, despite not playing in the opening two games, and has the third-highest average following his 57-point performance against Los Pumas last week.
The All Blacks backline has been delivering the goods all tournament and although they face their toughest test this week, there is no reason to shy away from a Kiwi-heavy selection in the backs department.
Aaron Smith (10.0 Credits, 26.2 Average Fantasy Score) and Richie Mo’unga (13.0 Credits, 44.2 Average Fantasy Score) will be my halfback pairing this week. Both have the most fantasy points in their respective positions whilst also averaging the most points per game, their inclusions should be mandatory.
Outside of them, Will Jordan (8.0 Credits, 70.2 Average Fantasy Score) is a must-have. After scoring a hat-trick last week to equal the record for most tries scored by an individual at a World Cup, Jordan has now scored 31 tries in 30 test matches. The 25-year-old is one of the best try scorers we have ever seen and will need to be heavily involved if the All Blacks are to lift their fourth World Cup trophy.
Centre-pairing Jordie Barrett (8.0 Credits, 41.3 Average Fantasy Score) and Rieko Ioane (10.0 39.6 Average Fantasy Score) are two more excellent options in New Zealand’s high-octane backline.
South Africa key players:
The Springboks are a puzzling side on the fantasy front.
Their highest-scoring player, Cheslin Kolbe, ranks just 26th in the points-scoring charts, whilst most of their starters don’t crack the top 50.
Whilst they are being backed by many to take home their fourth World Cup, loading your fantasy side with Springboks may not be the right strategy.
In saying that, there are a few players who offer value.
Outside of Barrett and Ioane, Damian de Allende (9.0 Credits, 24.3 Average Fantasy Score) averages the most points of any centre and is a reliable choice.
Picking try scorers is going to be the key to success if you’re optimistic about the Springboks so Kurt-Lee Arendse (7.5 Credits, 29.5 Average Fantasy Score) and Cheslin Kolbe (9.5 Credits, 33.3 Average Fantasy Score) could provide that last boost a fantasy side needs if they’re able to cross the whitewash.
Latest Comments
The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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