Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy has been a massive success, with over 45,000 players signed up for the competition.
With that comes over 45,000 people who think they have the right combination of players for the opening round.
Join Rugby.com.au’s Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy League here
I’ve put out plenty of articles written about who we think should be brought, whether you’re looking for popular players, ‘PODs’ or cheapies.
So it’s only fair that I lift the lid and put my reputation on the line to show who made the final cut for ‘Pigeon Media’s’ team for Round One
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FRONT ROW
Angus Bell – NSW Waratahs – $4.5 million
Tevita Ikanivere – Fijian Drua – $6.0 million
Xavier Numia – Hurricanes – $5.0 million
Bell is a no-brainer and is the third-most-popular prop for a reason: he’s a wrecking ball in attack and will be good for multiple tackle busts if he gets flowing.
Likewise with Numia, who I’m willing to risk against a strong Crusaders front-row in Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell. He’ll pick up a lot of the work left by Tyrel Lomax and Asafo Aumua’s injuries.
As for Ikanivere, I’m surprised to see only 7.6% go with the Fijian international. He’s the type of player that lifts at home and will challenge a Brumbies pack that is missing Slipper, Alaalatoa, and Frost.
SECOND ROW
Cullen Grace – Crusaders – $4.5 million
Patrick Tuipulotu – Blues – $5.0 million
I’m taking good advantage of Grace being selected as a back-row to get another mobile player into this XV.
For success in fantasy, you need to use little nuances like this to your advantage (which you’ll see later on).
As for Tuipulotu, he’s a set-and-forget given his production and talent.
BACK ROW
Ardie Savea – Moana Pasifika – $7.5 million
Brayden Iose – Hurricanes – $6.5 million
Carlo Tizzano – Western Force – $4.5 million
Savea is in the same category as Tuipulotu; he’s a gun that should be selected in nearly every team.
Iose was originally going to be Peter Lakai or Hoskins Sotutu before team lists, but I’m more than comfortable running with the damaging back-rower coming off a great second half of Super Rugby season.
As for Tizzano, he’s put on several kilograms in the off-season and looked better for it at Test level. Expect him to fire at home and relish the match-up with Savea.
HALVES
Cam Roigard – Hurricanes – $7.5 million
Ben Donaldson – Western Force – $7.0 million (captain)
Roigard is another easy choice, but it’s Donaldson where I’m making the big move.
There was more than enough money left over for Beauden Barrett or Damian McKenzie, but they’ve got really tough first-up matches against each other, which could leave them to negate their scoring capabilities.
Donaldson is a running half who will goal-kick, playing at home where the Force have an incredible record.
It’s a risk I’m willing to take.
MIDFIELD
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – NSW Waratahs – $5.5 million
Iosefo Masi – Fijian Drua – $7.0 million
Suaalii was must-have before his move to the outside backs but his selection there is a no-brainer.
It’d be a brave move to go against him at the price, given what he did against England on debut.
Masi pairs with him perfectly at home against a Brumbies midfield missing David Feiluai and Len Ikitau. Even with those two, Masi would prove near unstoppable and will be key towards the Drua causing an upset.
BACK THREE
Will Jordan – Crusaders – $9.5 million
Andrew Kellaway – NSW Waratahs – $7.0 million
Harry Godfrey – Hurricanes – $6.5 million
I was seriously considering going without Will Jordan, but it’s a decision I’d kick myself if he scored a double against a weakened Hurricanes backline.
However, this led me to Godfrey as the true POD. I’m banking on him kicking over Callum Harkin and if the Hurricanes can create some offence, it’s likely coming from him.
Kellaway rounds out the team, who looked excellent against the Brumbies in their trial in Bowral.
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