Fantasy Super Rugby: The tricky final round

Richie McCaw of the Crusaders. Photo / Getty Images

The Super Rugby final is here and, with it, a tricky final round of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby.

The Waratahs will host the Crusaders on Saturday night in a fixture that not only decides the Super Rugby Championship but also countless fantasy groups and our overall prize.

Just 58 points separate our current first and third placed fantasy coaches as they battle for our top prize - worth over $24,000 - so every transfer is crucial.

This final round sees owners able to make up to five transfers and, if you've followed my directions over the past month, you should be in a position where you can now pick and choose the best players from the Waratahs and Crusaders to start for your team.

Remember that you can only field a maximum of six players from any one team in your fantasy squad, so the players you choose will be crucial.

In order to help make this decision, let's have a brief look at how each position ranks in fantasy points production.

When averaging out the top 10 scorers from each position, we get the below results (points per game):

Front rowers: 11.5
Second rowers: 13
Back rowers: 18.5
Halfbacks: 11
Five eighths: 18
Backs: 20

From the above we can conclude that you need to make sure you fill every back, back row and the five eighth position in your starting XV before anything else.

You'll then have three further positions to fill, of which second rowers are the best of a bad bunch.

When looking at where each team has conceded big games this season, Waratahs backs could play a big part in your final round points tally. The Crusaders have given up the fourth-most amount of 25+ point games to opposing backs.

As such, Israel Folau ($9,520,000), Kurtley Beale ($8,790,000) and Rob Horne ($9,280,000) are your best options in the backline.

On the flipside of that equation, the Waratahs have given up the few 25+ point games to opposing backs of any team - so buyer beware.

In the back row, both sides are relatively good at shutting down opposing fantasy players, though the Waratahs are a little less adept than most. Of the Crusaders, Matt Todd ($6,810,000) and Richie McCaw ($5,110,000) are your best bets for points - don't count on Kieran Read repeating his 33-point haul from last weekend.

Other players who have better than average matchups are Bernard Foley ($8,810,000) and Jacques Potgieter ($3,670,000).

Both teams look set to field settled squads for the final but check back before the transfer lockdown in case there are any last minute injury announcements.

Best of luck to all our contending prize winners and all those battling for places within their group competitions.

Top pick:
Israel Folau, Waratahs
Value pick:
Richie McCaw, Crusaders
On the bench:
No squad changes or injuries of note.