The Rugby Magazine - Fantasy Rugby

[Peej]

Not playing Lewington was a mistake.

Oh well, will ensure he's in next week for when the Brizzlies visit Allianz

[Scrumhead]

Yeah - I held off on signing him because I thought it might take him a bit longer to work his way into the team but after his tries from the bench, he’s a good bet to start against Bristol.

Then again, I went for Roko on the basis that I expected him to do well against Bristol and he had one of his anonymous games. 9 points felt generous based upon what I watched.

The early rounds are always less predictable as new signings settle etc.

Exeter are looking ominously strong but with minimal changes to their squad, they were always likely to pick up where they left off.

[Scrumhead]

Rugby Rebels week 1 standings: https://therugbymagazine.com/fantasy/pr ... remiership

Team of the week:

1. Rapava-Ruskin
2. George
3. Stuart
4. Skinner
5. Launchbury
6. Wilson
7. S. Simmonds
8. Hughes
9. Robson
10. MacGinty
11. Morahan
12. Farrell
13. Tapuai
14. Yarde
15. Slade

[Peej]

I had three of those. Not great, but I think I still managed better than my average week last season.

[Scrumhead]

Same here. As the points are based on Opta data, the team of the week is never as obvious as you might think. To put it in to perspective, that XV would have scored 644 points and the guy in first scored 586 points from 23 players.

No one would have bet on Will Stuart being the highest scoring player of the week either.

[Raggs]

I had Stuart starting for a reason, and was sorely tempted to make him captain, but thought Vunipola a slightly better bet. Stuart did what I was expecting in terms of carrying, just wasn't expecting 2 good breaks.

[Scrumhead]

Fair play to you for selecting him Raggs but it I strongly suspect that even a significant chunk of the 1% that selected him did so because he was a cheap prop from a big team rather than because they expected him to be the leading scorer in round 1.

You know I rate Stuart and I had him at 3 in my ‘ones to watch’ XV I posted a while back but I didn’t anticipate him having such an immediate impact.

[Raggs]

Fair play to you for selecting him Raggs but it I strongly suspect that even a significant chunk of the 1% that selected him did so because he was a cheap prop from a big team rather than because they expected him to be the leading scorer in round 1.

You know I rate Stuart and I had him at 3 in my ‘ones to watch’ XV I posted a while back but I didn’t anticipate him having such an immediate impact.

You're probably right. Once JCW was injured I signed Stuart, as soon as I saw him starting, he was a starting prop .

[Shiny]

After round one I have adopted my usual position in the relegation zone towards the bottom of the table.

[Mellsblue]

Consistency is underrated.

[Raggs]

I think I'm going to suffer at least 1 week of forgetting to set/change my lineup, recent relocation and complete lifestyle change will do that! Need to remember I'm waiting on lineup info .

[Scrumhead]

Yeah - there isn’t really much of a window between when the teams are announced and the Friday night kick off.

I was definitely to the wire last week and just about got my side finalised before the deadline.

[Puja]

The fantasy rugby website used not to be caught by my work's firewall, so I could spend a bit of time Friday afternoon sorting out my team. Sadly, they had an upgrade of their systems over the summer and now TRM are blocked along with all other sports websites. I can still do it with my mobile, but it's a pain in the neck.

Puja

[Stom]

The fantasy rugby website used not to be caught by my work's firewall, so I could spend a bit of time Friday afternoon sorting out my team. Sadly, they had an upgrade of their systems over the summer and now TRM are blocked along with all other sports websites. I can still do it with my mobile, but it's a pain in the neck.

Puja

One of the reasons I failed so badly last week! Couldn't manage to swap out my non-starters in time for the deadline.

I've realised I fecked up in balancing my squad

Got 6 players who can play lock and 5 who can play back 3, one of whom is WLR, who I imagine still isn't back...

So I need to somehow sort that out. Plus probably need a SH...and thinking about Marcus Smith...and maybe Marchant or Tapuai or Lewington or Whitten...

[Scrumhead]

That’s why I went to the wire with mine. I didn’t pick anyone for my squad until the teams were announced and then left so money in the bank for additional purchases as needed. Got home from work at about 7.00 and did the whole lot in 45mins (I already pretty much knew who I wanted).

I’m now just debating whether to switch out Woodburn immediately or just leave him in (considering that I already have the money spare to buy a replacement).

[Puja]

And so it begins - 1 player sold to bring 2 in to ensure a starting XXIII.

Plus Singleton's continued exclusion and Walker being dropped has meant I needed to put Bateman in at hooker which is making me twitch. It's almost worth the 20 point hit to make another transfer so I can stop feeling dirty.

Puja

[Raggs]

My saved $1m has now basically gone... full 23 wasn't an issue. Now looking at who to fire.

[Stom]

And so it begins - 1 player sold to bring 2 in to ensure a starting XXIII.

Plus Singleton's continued exclusion and Walker being dropped has meant I needed to put Bateman in at hooker which is making me twitch. It's almost worth the 20 point hit to make another transfer so I can stop feeling dirty.

Puja

Yeah. I've done the same but I also didn't notice that Walker wasn't even in the 23! So I'm in the same situation: no Walker, no Singleton... I was planning on starting Bateman...maybe I won't.

[Scrumhead]

Ha. Sounds like we’ve all had a similar thought process with Bateman. I was tempted to put him in at hooker but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it so I used some of my leftovers to sign George McGuigan.

Singleton will still be first choice once he’s fit, but until then I’ve left him on my ‘watch list’.

[Stom]

Ha. Sounds like we’ve all had a similar thought process with Bateman. I was tempted to put him in at hooker but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it so I used some of my leftovers to sign George McGuigan.

Singleton will still be first choice once he’s fit, but until then I’ve left him on my ‘watch list’.

I probably shouldn't have picked 3 injury prone hookers At least Taylor is fit and starting. He was my first choice for last year before injury took.

[Scrumhead]

If Taylor can stay fit, he’ll score well. I considered him myself but his injury proneness and Cruse’s form last season gave me second thoughts.

My initial plan was Singleton and Cooper with Bateman covering if needed but it hasn’t worked out that way so far since Bateman’s the only one playing.

[Raggs]

I'm glad I don't have the same scruples, I bought Bateman because he can play hooker .

[Scrumhead]

If I am going to win, I want to do so with style.

I’m definitely going to bring this up if you criticise Eddie Jones for playing a lock at 6

[Stom]

If I am going to win, I want to do so with style.

I’m definitely going to bring this up if you criticise Eddie Jones for playing a lock at 6

You won't like my backs

5 wingers this week! Though it's not my fault all my centres are not being picked!!!

[Puja]

If I am going to win, I want to do so with style.

I’m definitely going to bring this up if you criticise Eddie Jones for playing a lock at 6

You won't like my backs

5 wingers this week! Though it's not my fault all my centres are not being picked!!!

Oh, backs are a different matter. There's very little specialisation in the numbers above 10, so you can play anyone anywhere and get pretty much the same effect. It's the forwards that are important.

Puja