Fantasy Rugby: Barrett set to step up

Aaron Cruden's boozy night out has opened the door for Beauden Barrett to star in Round Five of Dream Team Rugby Championship.

Cruden, the most-owned first five in our game, threw a spanner amongst the plans of those owners who now have to look elsewhere for value in that position over the rest of the competition.

Step up Beauden Barrett ($110,200), who now looms as the best fantasy first five play this weekend in a match up with Argentina that could produce plenty of points for the All Blacks.

Barrett impressed with 32 points in his one previous start in the competition and owners can expect a similar performance on Sunday morning.

Outside of Barrett your best bet at first five is Wallabies first five Bernard Foley ($128,200) who has averaged 55 points per game since replacing Kurtley Beale in the starting XV.

The All Blacks are the team with the most notable team news this week, despite no starting squad being announced at the time of writing this.

Outside of Cruden's absence, Dane Coles and Ma'a Nonu are also notable absentees this weekend with the latter out for the remainder of the competition.

Coles has flown back to New Zealand for the birth of his first child and will be likely replaced by Keven Mealamu ($57,600) as the starting hooker.

Mealamu is a poor pickup so look instead to Argentina's Agustin Creevy ($78,000) as your best replacement in the front row.

Malakai Fekitoa ($99,900) is the likely replacement for Nonu at second five and is a risk/reward play as he starts in an unfamiliar position while Sam Whitelock ($110,600) looks set to return to action and would be a fine play if named to start on Sunday morning.

Outside of the All Blacks the relevant team news is scarce.

Springboks halfback Ruan Pienaar is the most notable omission from the remaining three sides and his replacement, Francois Hougaard ($80,600), could be sneaky play against an Australian side that given up two big games to opposing half backs so far in the competition.

Australian hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau's horrid run of injury continues as he's again been ruled out of rugby for an extended period.

In other great match ups this weekend look to Israel Folau ($219,500) to shine against the Springboks, Cornal Hendricks ($117,200) and Eben Etzebeth ($125,500) to be solid against Australia while All Blacks back rowers will be huge against the Pumas.

Please remember to follow all your fantasy players' performances, as they happen, in our brand new live match centre feature within the Fantasy Rugby Championship game.

Also, listen to Radio Sport every week on a Thursday after 6pm to hear Dr Stats chat with D'Arcy Waldegrave about the latest fantasy news and advice.

Top pick
Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

Value pick
Marcell Coetzee, South Africa

On the bench
Aaron Cruden, New Zealand (out for remainder of competition)
Dane Coles, New Zealand (out 1 week)
Ma'a Nonu, New Zealand (out for remainder of competition)
Ruan Pienaar, South Africa (out for remainder of competition)
Tatafu Polota-Nau, Australia (out for remainder of competition)