FANTASY REVIEW ROUND 5: Unreal Kriel

Round 5 of Super Rugby saw a number of fantasy stalwarts return from injury, stars starting to find some form and a few players come out of no where to post some big numbers.

The weekend saw 5 of 8 away teams earn the 'W' with the Waratahs, Highlanders, Stormers, Lions and Sharks bringing home the bacon. The Crusaders, Blues and Jaguares were the only teams able to win in front of their home fans.

Bernard Foley guided the Waratahs to a much needed victory over the Rebels in his first game back from concussion. Source: Zimbio

Both Bernard Foley and Francois Venter got their 2017 campaigns underway with successful performances. Foley (93 points) helped guide to Waratahs to a must win victory (32-25) over conference rivals the Melbourne Rebels, while Venter's (55 points) immense input wasn't enough to prevent the Cheetahs going down to the Sharks 30-38.

A brace of tries helped both Matt Duffie (55 points) and Reece Hodge (65 points) achieve their first big scores of the season along, while Melanie Nanai (78 points), Raymond Rhule (89 points) and Jaco Kriel (94 points) posted their highest scores to date in 2017.

A starting debut for Seabelo Senatla (53 points) saw him fulfil his preseason hype, albeit against the Sunwolves, with 7 runs for 110 metres, 5 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 ineffective offload and 3 line breaks. The question still stands, can he do it against a more quality opposition? My answer, unlikely.

Patrick Osborne (12 points) was all promise and no performance. The Highlanders winger had his first real crack this season and you wouldn't have been amiss for expecting a decent score. In 2016 the electric Fijian pulled in his fantasy coaches an average of 31.9 points a week.

Team Of The Week (TOTW)

PROPS:

• Wilco Louw (STO) – 40 points – 1 try, 3 runs, 2 tackle busts, 1 linebreak and 6 tackles

• Lizo Gqoboka (BUL) – 40 points – 1 try, 6 runs, 2 tackle busts, 1 linebreak and 6 tackles

HOOKERS:

• Bongi Mbonambi (STO) – 62 points – 1 try, 12 runs for 52 metres, 3 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks, 3 tackles, 7/7 lineouts and one turnover forced

LOCKS:

• Scott Barrett (CRU) – 52 points – 1 try, 8 runs for 38 metres, 3 tackle busts, 1 linebreak, 17 tackles and 3/3 lineout takes

• Ned Hanigan (WAR) – 52 points – 1 try, 6 runs for 53 metres, 4 tackle busts, 1 counter ruck turnover, 6 tackles, 3/3 lineout takes and 2 lineout steals

BACKROW: 

• Jaco Kriel (LIO) – 94 points & 2nd TOTW –  1 try, 1 try assist, 13 runs for 149 metres, 9 tackle busts, 1 offload, 3 linebreaks, 8 tackles and 1 penalty forced

• Michael Hooper (WAR) – 53 points – 13 runs for 105 metres, 4 tackle busts, 3 linebreaks, 10 tackles and 2 penalties forced

• Siya Kolisi (STO) – 52 points – 12 runs for 77 metres, 6 tackle busts, 1 offload, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak create and 7 tackles

HALFBACKS:

• Dewaldt Duvnage (STO) – 35 points – 1 try, 6 runs for 31 metres, 1 tackle bust, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak create, 4 tackles, 1 lineout take and 1 turnover forced

FLYHALF: 

• Bernard Foley (WAR) – 93 points – 1 try assist, 3/4 conversions, 2/2 penalty kicks, 17 runs for 144 metres, 8 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 2 linebreaks, 5 linebreak creates and 3 tackles

INSIDE BACKS: 

• Derek Carpenter (SUN) – 83 points – 2 tries, 1 try assist, 13 runs for 131 metres, 2 tackle busts, 3 offloads, 1 linebreak, 2 linebreak creates and 8 tackles

• Karmichael Hunt (RED) – 58 points – 1 try assist, 8 runs for 70 metres, 6 tackle busts, 4 offloads, 1 linebreak, 1 linebreak create and 8 tackles

OUTSIDE BACKS:

• Raymond Rhule (CHE) – 89 points – 1 try, 1 try assist, 13 runs for 133 metres, 9 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 1 ineffective offload, 3 linebreaks, 4 tackles and 1 lineout take

• Melani Nanai (BLU) – 78 points – 1 try, 1 try assist, 13 runs for 157 metres, 3 tackle busts, 3 offloads, 1 ineffective offload, 2 linebreaks, 1 linebreak create and 1 lineout take

• Reece Robinson (WAR) – 56 points – 1 try, 8 runs for 120 metres, 4 tackle busts, 3 linebreaks and 5 tackles

Written by Nelson Dale