Fantasy Super Rugby: Round Six Preview

By Dr Stats

NZ Herald·

19 Mar, 2015 12:03 AM4 mins to read

Sharks forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, the top scoring lock so far in our game, has been ruled out for three months with a leg injury. Photo / Getty Images

It's a tricky round ahead in Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby with three sides on a bye round and injuries affecting several fantasy stars.

The Blues, Reds and Stormers all take a break this weekend which means coaches will need to find replacements for the likes of Jerome Kaino, Lolagi Visinia, Ihaia West, Charles Piutau, Dillyn Leyds and Luke Braid.

Despite their lack of team form, the Blues are currently providing some great value to coaches who are still backing their players, especially Lolagi Visinia who is averaging almost 35 points per game in the centre/wing position.

If you have room, the above players are definitely worth holding on to through their bye week.

If you don't have the space on your bench, here are some ready-made replacements in the back-line and back row for your team.

Waisake Naholo, Highlanders
His value has more than doubled since Round 1 but is still worth investing in at his current price of $134,000.

Mike Harris, Rebels
The former Reds first five is playing fullback for the Rebels this season and looks to have found his feet after a relatively quiet start to the season.

James Lowe, Chiefs
Like Naholo, his value has sky-rocketed but is still a great investment as he's set to become ever more valuable.

Steve Mafi, Force
Mafi's value is set for a big boost if he performs well against the Bulls on Sunday morning, which I'm picking him to do.

Sean McMahon, Rebels
Another player set for a value boost if a decent round eventuates this weekend. McMahon has been a steady improver for the Rebels so far this season.

Of the above players, Naholo has the best matchup this coming weekend as he faces the Hurricanes at home, undercover in what is likely to be an open game of rugby.

Backline players especially, from both of those sides, will be worth targeting with your trades this weekend.

In significant team news, two of the top three most-owned players in our game may not play this weekend.

Sonny Bill Williams is in doubt to play for the Chiefs after suffering a concussion last weekend against the Stormers while Dane Coles has been ruled out with a wrist injury.

Williams could still take the field and Coles is only likely to miss one week, so both are worth holding on to, but I'd recommend playing caution with Williams and stashing him on your bench for the round.

Other major injury news has seen the top lock in our game ruled out for three months. Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered an ACL injury last weekend and can be safely dropped from all sides.

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

On the bench:
Ross Geldenhuys, Highlanders (out indefinitely)
Shane Christie, Highlanders (out 1-2 weeks)
Boom Prinsloo, Cheetahs (benched)
Sarel Pretorius, Cheetahs (rested)
Cornal Hendricks, Cheetahs (dropped)
Dane Coles, Hurricanes (out 1 week)
Mark Abbott, Hurricanes (benched)
James Broadhurst, Hurricanes (suspended one week)
Matt Proctor, Hurricanes (dropped)
Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sharks (out 12 weeks)
Andries Coetzee, Lions (benched)
Ruan Combrinck, Lions (dropped)
Harold Vorster, Lions (benched)
Ross Cronje, Lions (benched)
Jaco Kriel, Lions (benched)
Martin Muller, Lions (dropped)
Julian Redelinghuys, Lions (benched)
Robbie Coetzee, Lions (benched)
Corne Fourie, Lions (benched)
Akona Ndungane, Bulls (out 4 weeks)
Callie Visagie, Bulls (out 1-2 weeks)
Liam Gill, Reds (suspended 2 weeks)
Tim Nanai-Williams, Chiefs (out 3-6 weeks)
Sonny-Bill Williams, Chiefs (out 1 week)
Pauliasi Manu, Chiefs (in doubt)
Richie McCaw, Crusaders (rested)
Ben Funnell, Crusaders (benched)
Johnny McNicholl, Crusaders (out 3-4 weeks)
Tom Taylor, Crusaders (benched)
Ben Tameifuna, Chiefs (benched)
Tatafu Polota-Nau, Waratahs (out 1-2 weeks)
Peter Betham, Waratahs (benched/dropped)
Victor Matfield, Bulls (benched)
Trevor Nyakane, Bulls (benched)
Morne Mellett, Bulls (benched)
Gareth Evans, Highlanders (benched)
Jack Debreczeni, Rebels (out 1-2 weeks)
Adam Coleman, Force (benched)
Brynard Stander, Force (dropped)
Chris Alcock, Force (dropped)
Zack Holmes, Force (benched)
Solomoni Jnr Rasolea (benched)