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Rugby World Cup Fantasy Rugby: Only four remain... choose wisely
By Cameron Stephens
Last weekend may have been the greatest in Rugby World Cup history.
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You could not have scripted those four quarterfinals much better. Upset wins, backbreaking defensive stands, late drama, charged down conversions and much, much more.
New Zealand’s win over Ireland was an instant contender for the greatest World Cup game of all time before South Africa and France’s battle joined them in that conversation a day later as we saw the two tournament favourites succumb to the two Southern Hemisphere giants’ big game experience.
Argentina’s comeback win, headlined by some outstanding second half defence, saw Wales crash out of the World Cup whilst England, shockingly, remain as the only unbeaten team left in the tournament following their back-and-forth battle with a valiant Fiji side.
Now, we enter the final four.
In the fantasy world, the gruelling nature of knockout games has resulted in owners clawing and scratching for every point as only four players surpassed 50 points with Ardie Savea’s 66-point haul topping the charts.
This week promises to provide some relief on the fantasy front as two perceived ‘mismatches’ await us, which may open the door to some big scores from the superstars on show.
Semi-Finals News
Fixture List:
Argentina vs New Zealand
England vs South Africa
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For the knockout stages, the total budget has been increased to 115 credits as fantasy owners can now select up to five players from each nation for the semi-final stage, this will then increase to six for the bronze final and final next week.
In terms of the boosters, my strategy this week is going to be to use Triple Captain, with one player in particular on my radar. After the boosters were reset following the group stages, you should use one per week for the remainder of the knockouts.
As always, keep an eye on the starting lineups as they’re released to ensure you’re not leaving out any valuable points.
Here is your game-by-game fantasy guide for the semi-finals.
Argentina vs New Zealand
Argentina Key Players:
Los Pumas are going to look to make this game ugly and win it in the trenches.
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New Zealand have thumped Argentina their last two outings by an aggregate score of 94-15. However, the matchup before that saw Los Pumas record their first ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand. That game was attritional, physically bruising and Argentina brought a defensive intensity that I had never seen from them before.
To get the same result this weekend, they’ll have to mirror that gameplan meaning the pack will need to step up big time in the defensive department. Therefore, the Argentinian front five is where the fantasy value lies this week.
With that being said, Thomas Gallo (4.5 Credits, 28 Average Fantasy Score) should be an automatic fantasy selection this week. Not only is he the highest scoring prop left in the tournament by a wide margin, but the loosehead has also beaten 18 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, 39 Average Fantasy Score) seems to be the most obvious hooking choice. The Argentinian captain is by far the cheapest of the four starting hookers this week yet has the highest points total, per game average and is the only starting hooker left in the tournament to record a 50+ point fantasy score.
In the engine room, Guido Petti (4.0 Credits, 17.8 Average Fantasy Score) and Marcos Kremer (6.0 Credits, 15.4 Average Fantasy Score) are reliable options, especially at their price points. Both sit in the top five for most fantasy points scored by locks out of those still in the tournament. Whilst their averages aren’t eye-catching, the type of battle that I’m expecting against the All Blacks will require these two to disrupt the breakdown, tackle, and then tackle some more if Los Pumas are to stand a chance.
New Zealand Key Players:
Ever since the All Blacks lost the tournament opener to France, they have been firing on all cylinders.
Their high-octane style of play has catapulted them into the final four after their unforgettable win over Ireland last week, underpinned by their 37-phase defensive stand to seal the game at the end.
At the heart of all of it has been Ardie Savea (7.0 Credits, 55.8 Average Fantasy Score), to nobody’s surprise. He has 83 more fantasy points and averages over 24 points more than the next closest loose forward. Turnovers, try involvements, offloads and ball carrying – Savea is undoubtedly a must-have this week against an Argentina side that New Zealand are expected to cruise past.
Out of both semi-finals this week, this game is likely to feature more running rugby and opportunities in space given the All Blacks’ attacking prowess. Therefore, Richie Mo’unga (13.0 Credits, 37.2 Average Fantasy Score) is the obvious choice at fly-half.
In the centres, I’ll be opting for an all-kiwi look with Jordie Barrett (8.0 Credits, 38.3 Average Fantasy Score) and Rieko Ioane (10.0 43.3 Average Fantasy Score) who will also prove a handful for Los Pumas. Outside of this duo, there is no other centre starting this week who averages over 24 fantasy points per game, making them easy selections.
If you have held onto your triple captain booster, this week might be the perfect time to use it. This matchup promises to be the most attacking-focused of any game remaining in the tournament and if it is, Will Jordan (8.0 Credits, 61.3 Average Fantasy Score) will reap the rewards. Jordan has the most fantasy points of any player left in the tournament, averages the most of any player featuring in the semi-finals and is joint-second in the tryscoring charts.
England vs South Africa
England Key Players:
For England to stand any chance of causing a huge upset against the world champions this week, they are going to have to match them physically.
It isn’t going to be a game where Steve Borthwick’s side look to stretch the Springbok defence but instead, be a gnarly and kick-heavy game that is won up front.
The English pack will have to rise to the occasion and with his big game experience, Maro Itoje (7.0 Credits, 25 Average Fantasy Score) will be one expected to step up. The 28-year-old has the most points of any lock alongside being the only one to average above 18 fantasy points – expect him to be busy in the defensive and set-piece departments this week.
On top of needing to match the Springboks’ intensity in contact, the breakdown will be astronomically important. France were able to win turnovers at crucial moments last week and England will look to do the same with Ben Earl (6.5 Credits, 31 Average Fantasy Score) and Courtney Lawes (6.5 Credits, 31.3 Average Fantasy Score) the main threats. From a fantasy standpoint, Lawes and Earl average the third and fourth most of any loose forward whilst also sitting in the top four for total points.
South Africa Key Players:
Much has been made of England’s scrum-time struggles during the 2019 World Cup final and we see the same head-to-head matchup as we did four years ago with Dan Cole squaring up against Frans Malherbe (6.0 Credits, 17.5 Average Fantasy Score). Malherbe is one of the greatest scrummaging tightheads of all time. He has won 12 scrums outright this tournament, leading him to securing the third most points of any prop left in the tournament and making him a solid choice this week.
Out of the four starting scrum-haves this week, Cobus Reinach (8.5 Credits, 35.3 Average Fantasy Score) is head and shoulders above the others in terms of a fantasy standpoint. He has the most tries, offloads, tackles, carrying metres and linebreaks of the four and averages 13 more points than the next closest one.
If South Africa’s mammoth forward pack are able to win the physical battle and get front foot ball, Kurt-Lee Arendse (7.5 Credits, 32.7 Average Fantasy Score) and Cheslin Kolbe (9.5 Credits, 40.3 Average Fantasy Score) will be able to exploit England’s defensive frailties in the wide channels.
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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