Fantasy Super Rugby: Round Eight Preview

By Dr Stats

NZ Herald·

1 Apr, 2015 12:23 AM4 mins to read

Patrick Lambie has been one of the most consistent performers in our game so far in 2015. Photo / Getty Images

We're now one third of the way into the Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby season and it's time to look at which players are providing joy to owners week after week.

Consistency is a rare and valuable commodity in the world of Fantasy Super Rugby. Consistent players will help you retain your position on the overall standings as well as win your mini-league competitions.

So, after seven rounds, below are the most consistent performers in each position in our game. They are not necessarily the ones with the highest scoring average; instead they are players who post above average scores for their position in every appearance and who are yet to hand their owners a dud week.

Reg Goodes, FRF, Hurricanes, $64,700
Goodes' only low point this season has been a 9-point effort, around about the front row average, in round five. Apart from that score he's scored above 14 points in every appearance.

Luke Jones, 2RF, Rebels, $92,500
Jones has been a standout in the Rebels pack so far in 2015 and has been a fantasy cornerstone in both points scoring and dollar value increase.

Michael Hooper, BRF, Waratahs, $130,100
A 22-point haul in round six was Hooper's low point in a season in which he's averaging a touch over 30 points per game. He's a must-have player in your back row.

Andrew Ellis, HFB, Crusaders, $90,100
Ellis seems to be responding well to increased competition within the Crusaders squad and has posted over 20 points in each of his four appearances so far in 2015.

Patrick Lambie, FFE, Sharks, $222,300
Lambie is the premiere pick at first five in our game and for good reason - he's been incredibly consistent while also being the top scorer in any position.

Mike Harris, CTW, Rebels, $191,100
Harris and his added attribute of goal kicking has posted scores above 20 points in every appearance this season in a position that often relies on tries to stay competitive.

Israel Folau, FLB, Waratahs, $226,000
While Folau's 18 points let a lot of coaches down last weekend, he's just streets ahead of any other player in the fullback position at this stage of the season.

This week sees the Force, Highlanders and Waratahs all take a break while next round has the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Rebels on the bye - play your cards accordingly during this tricky period.

In player news so far this round - it turns out Frans Steyn will now be suspended for his dangerous tackle on Aaron Cruden and will miss the next five weeks while Victor Matfield and Jan Serfontein will watch from the sidelines for the Bulls as they receive a rest.

Dan Carter has returned home from South Africa for the birth of his second child and Tony Woodcock will miss this weekend's clash with the Chiefs.

Get the latest fantasy advice from Dr Stats Thursdays at 6.25pm on Radio Sport with D'Arcy Waldegrave.

On the bench:
Frans Steyn, Sharks (suspended five weeks)
Laurie Weeks, Rebels (out 6-8 weeks)
Nizaam Carr, Stormers (dropped)
Jean Kleyn, Stormers (dropped)
Dan Carter, Crusaders (out 1 week)
Tony Woodcock, Blues (out 1-2 weeks)
Motu Matu'u, Hurricanes (dropped)
Ben May, Hurricanes (benched)
James Marshall, Hurricanes (benched)
Matt Proctor, Hurricanes (dropped)
Jason Woodward, Hurricanes (dropped)
Sam Talakai, Reds (dropped)
Curtis Browning, Reds (benched)
Chris Kuridrani, Reds (benched)
Cadeyrn Neville, Rebels (benched)
Pauliasi Manu, Chiefs (benched)
Quentin McDonald, Chiefs (benched)
Michael Fitzgerald, Chiefs (dropped)
Brad Weber, Chiefs (benched)
Seta Tamanivalu, Chiefs (dropped)
Bryce Heem, Chiefs (benched)
Joe Moody, Crusaders (benched)
Owen Franks, Crusaders (benched)
Richie McCaw, Crusaders (benched)
Tom Taylor, Crusaders (benched)
Conrad Hoffmann, Sharks (benched)
Renaldo Bothma, Sharks (benched)
Rory Arnold, Brumbies (dropped)
Ita Vaea, Brumbies (benched)
Handre Pollard, Bulls (out 1-2 weeks)
Arno Botha, Bulls (out 1-2 weeks)
Jan Serfontein, Bulls (rested)
Victor Matfield, Bulls (rested)
Dean Greyling, Bulls (benched)