Fantasy Rugby wrap: Carter finding form for playoffs

Dan Carter scored 31 Fantasy points against the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images

A look back on all the Fantasy studs and duds from the weekend's Super 15 action.

Crusaders 25 Hurricanes 17
The star: Dan Carter (31 points) - Carter is stepping up right on cue for the Crusaders and fantasy owners alike. He will play a key part in deciding many teams' final standings this season and you'd be wise to own him.
The dud: Beauden Barrett (2 points) - Carter's opposite and possible future All Black replacement finished his season on a fantasy low with his second-worst score of the season. Next year could be time for Barrett to shine.
Value pick: Tom Donnelly (15 points) - With Luke Romano in serious doubt for the playoffs, Donnelly is his replacement and, despite a $5,110,000 price tag, he will be valuable if the Crusaders progress as expected.

Rebels 38 Highlanders 37
The star: Bryce Hegarty (27 points) - This came out of nowhere for Hegarty, he scored his first two tries of the season in his side's last fixture.
The dud: James O'Connor (4 points) - Despite leading his side to a final-quarter comeback-win, O'Connor failed to help his few remaining fantasy owners. It will be interesting to see which team he lands with next season.
Value pick: Ben Smith (17 points) - Smith ended the season strongly with four tries in four games. If the Highlanders adapt to playing half their games in an indoor stadium next season, players like Smith will be valuable fantasy commodities with assured running conditions underfoot.

Blues 16 Chiefs 26
The star: Ben Tameifuna (32 points) - Tameifuna exploded with two tries in this game and is set to play a key role in fantasy squads after a playoff-bye this week.
The dud: Aaron Cruden (4 points) - A worrying performance from Cruden as we enter the playoffs. Four missed shots at goal and three knock-ons and the return of Gareth Anscombe make him a risky option for the semifinals.
Value pick: Tanerau Latimer (22 points) - After a dud performance last week, returned to form with his highest tackle-count of the season. He's definitely an option for the semis on if you believe in the Chiefs.

Waratahs 12 Reds 14
The star: Ben Lucas (27 points) - He's been on fire the past two weeks and could be a sneaky play at halfback this week if you're backing the Reds over the Crusaders.
The dud: Rod Davies (4 points) - He didn't play much of a role in this one and is hard to count on for his price if you're thinking of him for the playoffs.
Value pick: Ben Lucas (27 points) - He's pretty cheap for a playoff-bound fantasy halfback at $7,310,000. If you feel like gambling, he's your man.

Force 21 Brumbies 15
The star: Matt Hodgson (38 points) - His best fantasy performance of the season by a long way. It's the pity the Force are no longer to be reckoned with.
The dud: George Smith (-5 points) - A classic case of monitoring team lists here - Smith played just 30 minutes off the bench and his fantasy points reflected that fact. He's back starting this coming weekend and should bounce back.
Value pick: Scott Fardy (17 points) - Fardy scored a try to bolster his points total this week, but himself and locking partner Sam Carter are definitely decent options for the coming round.

Sharks 58 Kings 13
The star: Marcell Coetzee/Riaan Viljoen (27 points) - In a contest between two fantasy-irrelevant sides, Coetzee continued his sparkling end-of-season form, while Voljoen finished what was a disappointing season overall, on a high.
The dud: Steven Sykes (0 points) - He had a strong start to the 2013 season but faded, like his team, as the season progressed. The Kings and Sykes will be hoping for much better next year.
Value pick: Odwa Ndungane (16 points) - It was a largely barren season for the Sharks livewire winger, but he showed some form in the team's final two matches which will encourage him for next season.

Stormers 30 Bulls 13
The star: Gary van Aswegen (23 points) - Joe Pietersen didn't play this game and van Aswegen took full advantage by taking over the goal kicking duties and nailing six from six attempts.
The dud: Deon Stegmann (5 points) - He'd been a fantasy force for six weeks straight before this dud and will surely bounce back once the Bulls rejoin the playoff schedule.
Value pick: Brok Harris (15 points) - He's been solid in limited game-time this season and is one to keep an eye on for next year.

Round 20:
On form players
Worst performers
Full player list, including fantasy points