Stock Market: 3 team byes

With bye weeks ramping up to 3 teams in Round 5 as well as 4 of the following 6 rounds, managers will be looking to fill the holes in their teams throughout the trade window. This havoc will provide you the perfect opportunity to propose some trades and strengthen your squad for the rest of the season.

When considering trades, you need to consider a number of factors. These include upcoming fixtures/byes, potential floor and ceiling and the health of team mates in similar positions.

BLUE CHIPS

Amanaki Mafi (SUN) BACK ROW - If you asked us a few weeks ago we would have said there was no chance we would see him this season... but I guess most people were wrong on this one.

Mafi's career was in turmoil after he allegedly assaulted his ex-Rebels' team mate Lopeti Timani, however his case has been delayed and Jamie Joseph is tipped to bring him into the squad as soon as this week!

RISING STOCKS

Hosea Saumaki (SUN) OUTSIDE BACK - Last season's 5th highest average outside back has missed the start of the season for an unknown reason. So why do we think he is back? He travelled with the Sunwolves for their 2 week tour of New Zealand. We will see him sooner rather than later.

Sevu Reece (CRU) OUTSIDE BACK - With the season ending injury to Manasa Mataele, a spot on the wing is up for grabs. Reece debuted for the Crusaders in round 4, setting the competition alight and taking out the Draft Rugby Player Of The Week with 106 points.

Going against him is the fact that the Super Rugby Champions have a wealth of talent when it comes to outside backs, so you can't be sure that he will regularly get a start.

Wandisile Simelane (LIO) CENTRE - Simelane entered the Lions' starting line up surrounded by a lot of hype and he didn't disappoint.

Coach Swys de Bruin has said he is willing to continue to place his faith in his younger players, but he also has made it clear you don't own a jersey and you have to fight to hold it.

With Wandi's performance over the weekend. I can't see him not getting another start this weekend.

HOLD

Braydon Ennor (CRU) CENTRE - Ennor started the season at full flight when he played outside centre in round 1 before he was shifted back to the bench the following week with the return of Jack Goodhue.

He only spent one round on the bench before he was again trust into the starting wing spot in place of the injured Mataele, seemingly providing him with a starting role for the season.

With the Havili on the bench last week and the performances of Sevu Reece and Will Jordan, it is anyones' guess if he will start or slide back to the bench.

Jamie Booth (SUN) SCRUM HALF - With only 11 matches for an average of 16 minutes throughout 2018, his average Points Per Minute of 0.60 was the third highest of any scrum half.

However a shift to the Sunwolves in 2019 has seen him grab a starting jersey in round 4 and boy he did not show any signs of wanting to let it go.

He ran 95 metres, busted 5 tackles and made 3 line breaks. Granted, this was against a Blues side that seemingly lacked any forwards willing to go the hard work in tight. It is unlikely the Reds will have the same issues.

SELL

Andrew Makilao (CRU) HOOKER - Codie Taylor is back... enough said really. Makilao is only likely to start during Taylor's All Blacks' rest weeks.

If you are lucky and he has one more start left in him this week, sell him while he is at peak value.

Written by Nelson Dale