FANTASY SUPER RUGBY 2019 – ROUND 8 IN REVIEW

PLAYERS IN FOCUS

Our top three fantasy scorers and players in focus for fantasy super rugby 2019 round 8 were the Crusaders secret weapon Sevu Reece with 99 points, Sunwolves flyer Semisi Masirewa with 95 points and the man holding up the Hurricanes forward pack, Ardie Savea with 86 points from a monumental shift on the weekend.

After topping the round with 106 points in round 4 there were two things that were for certain regarding Sevu Reece. Firstly we quite sure that it wouldn't be the last time that we saw him as a fantasy player in focus in 2019 and secondly that whilst it would be difficult to tell how much game time he would get, he is player that fantasy managers would move mountains to have him on their roster. After an injury kept George Bridge out for a couple of weeks, Reece found himself on the bench in round 7 and then starting back starting in round 8 (and now for round 9 this week). Managers lucky enough to have held him or scooped him up were well rewarded this week as Sevu absolutely tore the Brumbies apart. His 99 fantasy points came by way of 13 runs for 142m, 6 line breaks!! 6 tackle busts, 2 offloads and 2 tries.

Semisi Masiwera is playing some of the best footy of his career for the Sunwolves. Their open and frantic style of play really suits the Fijian speed man and he really has been making teams pay for their mistakes. He scored 95 fantasy points in round 8 through 14 runs for 100m, 5 line breaks, 9 tackle busts!! 3 offloads and two tries. Whilst the uncertainly generated by the size of the Sunwolves super rugby squad has kept him out of many fantasy managers teams, in the form he is in it will be hard to not select him in the starting side!!

After the performance Ardie Savea put in this weekend it would be really difficult to see anyone else getting the All Black's infamous 7 jersey in 2019. He honestly just did it all, he gassed the entire highlanders team twice, he made an excellent covering tackle on a full flight Tevita Li to save a certain try in the corner and he made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown. He scored 86 fantasy points from 9 runs for 97m, 2 line breaks, 3 tackle busts, 1 offload, 2 tries, 8 tackles and won 2 turnovers.

SUPER RUGBY TEAM FANTASY SCORES

See how your fantasy team compared against the Super Rugby teams themselves.

TEAM STARTING XV FULL TEAM (23) Blues 456 514 Chiefs BYE BYE Crusaders 546 691 Highlanders 430 540 Hurricanes 510 532 Brumbies 372 416 Rebels 478 551 Reds 573 653 Waratahs 411 530 Sunwolves 364 425 Bulls 448 485 Lions 225 346 Sharks 735 820 Stormers 340 401 Jaguares 314 420

ROUND 8 FIXTURES

BYES: Chiefs

Highlanders 28 - 31 Hurricanes

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Returning: Rob Thompson (ankle) Injured: Richard Buckman (Achilles), Marty Banks (broken foot), Luke Whitelock (tight calf)

The momentum certainly swung back and forth in this one with the Hurricanes coming back to take it in the lead with two converted tries in the last 20 mins and then holding out a Highlanders side that turned down five opportunities to level the score with a penalty goal in favor of a line out.

The top three fantasy notes from this one: 1) Ardie Savea is unbelievable. The man has serious gas. 2) Shannon Frizell is a force to be reckoned with. 3) You can't stop Ben Lam. He busted 5 tackles in one run.

Match Stats: Carries 141 - 98 Run Meters 496 - 595 Line Breaks 14 - 15 Tackle Busts 21 - 25 Penalties conceded 6 - 11 Line outs 13 won : Canes (3 won & 5 lost) Scrums lost 2 - 1

Fantasy: FMOTM: Ardie Savea (86 points) - 9 runs for 90+m, 2 LB, 3 TB, 1 offload, 2 tries, 8 tackles, 2 turnovers won Shannon Frizell (65 points) - 13 runs, 1LB, 3TB, 3 Offload, 1 try, 8 tackles, 2 line outs Ben Lam (63 points) - 6 runs for 80+m, 2 LB, 8 TB, 1 try assist Ngani Laumape (59 points) - 5 runs, 3 LB, 3TB, 2 offload, Beauden Barrett (55 points) - 14 runs or 120+m, 1 LB, 2 TB, 1 offload TJ Perenara (53 points) - 7 carries, 1 LB, 1 TB Tom Franklin (45), Luke Whitelock (40)

Reds 24 V 12 Stormers

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Returning: Salmaan Moerat (Concussion) Injured: Filipo Daugunu (broken arm), SP Marais (Hip flexor - sent home), Chris van Zyl (back injury)

As boring as we thought it might be in the first 40 mins, before both teams decided to give it a crack in the second half. The Stormers were unlucky with two disallowed tries early that were extremely close (inability to finish being the story of their season) and a yellow card to Siya Kolisi in the 40th minute didn't help things. Young reds winger Jack Hardy could have had a bloody hatrick in his run on debut if they just passed him the ball!! This was a great battle of the forwards with the addition of Samu Kerevi ripping it up outside.

The top three fantasy notes from this one: 1) Tate McDermott appears to be covered in spiders, 9 tackle busts from a scrum half! 2) Stormers really missing their locks Pieter-Steph Du Toit & Eben Etzebeth. 3) Damian De Allende may be starting to come good again for fantasy managers?

Match Stats: REDS - STOR 62% possession Reds 60% territory Reds 495m - 325m 38 - 20 Tackle Busts 19 - 8 Line Breaks 13 - 6 Offloads

Fantasy: FMOTM: Samu Kerevi (83pts - 20 carries, 3LB, 7TB, 2O and a try) Tate McDermott (65pts - 11c, 2LB, 7TB, 1 try) Bryce Hegarty (58pts - 9c, 2LB, 5TB) Kobus Van Dyk (57pts, 12 tackles, a try, 2 TO) Damian de Allende (53pts, 2LB, 4TB) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (52) BPA and Stewart (50 pts)

Lions 5 v 42 Sharks

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Returning: Andries Coetzee (Hamstring), Cyle Brink (Knee) Injured: Nil

The Sharks had all the ball and territory in the first half but it took them 20 minutes until to get across the line. Then the flood gates opened,  the Sharks were just running hard at the line and some pretty terrible Lions midfield defense had more holes that swiss cheese. The Lions struggled to really get their offense going and were largely just defending the entire game!

Match stats: 1st half: possession Lions 23% - Sharks 77% (60-40% 2nd) 1st half Territory: Loins 14% - Sharks 86% (48-52% 2nd) Metres: Lions 322 V Sharks 645 Carries: 79 v 150 Defenders beaten: 16 v 36 26 tackles missed by lions in first half Tackles: Lions 76% (114/150) V Sharks 83% (78/94)

Fantasy: (Unsurprisingly All Sharks!!) FMOM: Makazole Mapimpi 84 points - 2 tries, 120 metres, 5 clean breaks, 3 tackle busts, 2 offloads Lukhanyo Am (73 points - 15 carries, 2 line breaks, 5 tackle busts ) Curwin Bosch (72 points -  11 carries for over 100m, 2 line breaks, 9 tackle busts!! 2 offloads, 3 try assists ) Andre Esterhuizen (68 points - 17 carries, 2 line breaks, 6 tackle busts, 3 offloads) Jacques Vermeulen (60), Kerron van Vuuren (52), Daniel du Preez (50), Ruben van Heerden (50)

Crusaders 36 v 14 Brumbies

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Returning: Joe Moody (ankle in rd 4), Owen Franks (shoulder niggle - played his 150th), Allan Alaalatoa (wrist), Toni Pulu (fractured cheek rd 1) Injured: Codie Taylor pulled pregame with a calf issue, George Bridge (hammy issue)

Looking back it's hard to believe that it was 0-7 to the Brumbies come half time. It was a very closely contested first half in which the Brumbies really had come to play. As per usual, the Crusaders just defended like champion team they are and remained patient and vigilant. There were 3 yellow cards in this match, Owen Franks in the 27th for a shoulder charge, Toni Pulu in the 54th for a high tackle on Will Jordan (poor Jordan almost had his head taken off a few times on the night!) and Sam Carter in the 66th the result of repeated infringements as the Crusaders pressure just got too much for the Brumbies.

The top three fantasy notes from this one: 1) Sevu Reece is incredible. Spoilers! 2) Richie Mo'unga starting to hit that 2018 fantasy form with some awesome ball running and line breaks. 3) Toni Pulu looks like he will help the Brumbies significantly. He goes looking for work.

Match Stats: Carries 142 - 107 Line Breaks 8 - 16 Tackle Busts 11 - 36 Metres 341 - 638 Missed tackles 36 - 11

Fantasy: Sevu Reece 99 points (FMOTR) - 13 runs for 140+m, 6 line breaks, 6 tackle busts, 2 offloads, 2 tries Richie Mo’unga 56 points - 12 runs for 90+m, 1 line break, 6 TB, 2 offloads David Havili 56 points - 14 runs, 1 LB, 11 TBs!!! Tevita Kuridrani 60 points - a try, 10 runs, 2 LB, 2 TB, Scott Barrett and Will Jordan on 49 points

Blues 32 V 29 Waratahs

[getty src="1140783315" width="594" height="396" tld="com.au"] We love Izzy but the man needs to learn to do a bit more of this on social media!!

Returning: Josh Goodhue (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (knee), Will Miller (ankle) Injured: Sonny bill Williams (knee), Blake Gibson (knee), Ned Hanigan (subbed at 10min?)

Like the Hurricanes vs Highlanders, this was a very tight match up and the momentum swung back and forth over the eighty minutes. The first 20 was all the Blues lead by an in form Ma'a Nonu. The second 20 was instead all the Waratahs through Bernard Foley and Israel Folau. The Blues have continued to get better with each of their last four wins and despite a last quarter effort by the Waratahs with Jake Gordon coming on and scoring a try, the Blues were the team that lifted and just had the mongrel and desire to close it out. Israel Folau scored his 60th Super Rugby try making him the all time leading try scorer for the competition.

The top three fantasy notes from this one: 1) Ma'a Nonu was on fire and Sonny-Bill Williams injury and operations would suggest that Nonu will now be playing at second five for the next 6 weeks. 2) Patrick Tuipulotu and Michael Wells were two players getting through mountains of work. They've been figuratively and literally absent fantasy wise in the first part of the season but think they will go well from here. 3) James Parsons and Damien Fitzpatrick are certainly not exciting players but are great value fantasy hookers because they seldom make mistakes and put in the work.

Match Stats: (Incredibly even) Possession Blues 54% - Waratahs 46% Field position 52%-48% Tackle busts 20-17 Offloads 10-8 Tackle success 85% Lineout success - Blues 12/15 (80%) - Waratahs 100% (13/13)

Fantasy: Israel Folau (61 points) - 16 runs, 2 LB, 2 TB, 2 offload, 1 try, Patrick Tuipulotu (49 points) - 12 carries, 5 line out takes, 3 offloads, 10 tackle, 1 turnover won Alex Newsome (46 points) - 10 runs, 4 LB, 1 try Ma’a Nonu (44 points) - 1 try, 2 try assists Michael Wells (43), Jake Gordon (42pts in 20min)

Rebels 42 v 15 Sunwolves

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Returning: Josh Timu (Ankle) Injured: Billy Meakes (Cited shot on Jason Emery)

In recent years, the Melbourne Rebels have had plenty of talent in the back line but they have always been looking for was a solid forward pack to build them a platform. Well this week they finally picked what looks to be their best forward pack (we still don't know how they didn't pick up James Slipper this season!) and those big men up front did just that, built a platform. Every week we talk about the game plan to defeat the Sunwolves is just up front and at set piece and the Rebels, well they must have listened.  Consequently the rebels dominated throughout and the subs decided to come on and exchange yellow cards (Semisi Tupou in the 74th, Nathan Vella in the 76th and Campbell Magnay in the 81st) to see out the game.

The top three fantasy notes from this one: 1) Will Genia absolute heat. Ran in a 50m try circa the Reds 2011. 2) Reece Hodge with a hatrick!! Watch this space. 3) Hayden Parker missed a kick at goal. The world must end.

Match Stats: 6 tries to 2 18 to 8 line breaks 16 penalties to 6 Sunwolves only made 48/79 tackles (61%) Sunwolves 7/13 lineouts (54%)

Fantasy: FMOTM: Semisi Masiwera (95pts - 14 C, 2 tries, 3O, 5LB, 100m and 9TB) Rebels: Reece Hodge (80pts - 14C, 5TB) Will Genia (65pts - 3LB, 2TB, a 50m try) Hendrik Tui (51pts - 2O, 2TO) Billy Meakes (48), Isi Naisarani (47)

Bulls 20 v 22 Jaguares

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Returning: Jaco Visagie (ankle surgery), Agustin Creevy (# Spine) Injured: Eli Snyman (shoulder)

Both the Jaguares and Bulls both have game plans that largely resemble that of northern hemisphere test rugby, 1) take the points when on offer and 2) play territory at all costs. Despite resting springboks Bulls Handre Pollard and Jesse Kriel, the Bulls largely controlled this game just winning the kicking battle through Divan Rossouw. Manie Libbok deputized well making 8/9 tackles at fly half and whilst he kicked well, it wasn't well enough as it cost them the game with 5/6 penalties and 0/1 conversions. After a yellow card to Tetaz Chapparo in the 46th, the Jaguares started playing some much better rugby in the second half and were really boosted by their bench with the like of Agustin Creevy, Tomas Lavanini, Joaquin Tuculet and Debutant Domingo Miotti taking the field. The Bulls were their own worst enemy and after two yellow cards, Tim Agaba for repeated infringements and Conrad van Vuuren for a silly tackle in the air off a kickoff, they found themselves down to 13 men for the final minutes. The Jaguares pounced and snatched this one away in Pretoria.

The top three fantasy notes from this one: 1) Domingo Miotti scored two tries and looked like a season player on debut. Class! 2) Reece Hodge with a hatrick!! Watch this space. 3) Hayden Parker missed a kick at goal. The world must end.

Match Stats: Carries 121 - 92 Line Breaks 9 - 8 Tackle Busts 20 - 16 Line outs 100% 13 - 14 Run Metres 393 - 248 Penalties conceded 9 - 15

Fantasy: tie for FMOTM Pablo Matera 63 points - 8 runs, 1 LB, 4 TB, 1 offload, 13 tackles, turnover won and a try Lizo Gqoboka 63 points - 11 runs (22 points front rower) for 90+m, 2 LB, 3 TB (only made 3 tackles! An attacking prop!) Jannes Kirsten 51 points - 10 carries, 1 LB, 2 TB, 12 tackles Burger Odendaal 50 points - 15 carries, 2 LB, 3 TB, try assist Duane Vermuelen 46 points - 10 runs and 4 line out takes

PROP: Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls) – 63 points Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks) – 47 points

HOOKER: Kerron van Vuuren (Sharks) – 52 points

LOCK: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) – 52 points Ruben van Heerden (Sharks) – 50 points

BACK ROW: Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)– 86 points Shannon Frizell (Highlanders) – 65 points Pablo Matera (Jaguares) – 63 points

SCRUMHALF: Tate McDermott (Reds) & Will Genia (Rebels) – 65 points

FLYHALF: Curwin Bosch (Sharks) – 72 points

CENTRES: Samu Kerevi (Reds) – 83 points Reece Hodge (Rebels) – 80 points

OUTSIDE BACKS: Sevu Reece (Crusaders) – 99 points Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves) – 95 points Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks) – 84 points