The Rugby Magazine - Fantasy Rugby

[Mellsblue]

I did contemplate starting this season but it seems quite time consuming. If the points scoring is a pretty accurate reflection of performance then I’m more likely to give it a go next season.

[Scrumhead]

It’s not that time consuming. I put a lot of time and thought in to my initial squad but that’s because I’m a geek. Beyond that I wouldn’t say I spend much more than 30mins per week on selection.

The more time consuming element is managing the transfers if squad rotations wreck your plans.

In all honesty, all the analysis I did hasn’t really helped anyway. There’s not a lot in it, but I’ve scored less points than I did at this point last season so all the lessons I thought I’d learned don’t seem to have counted for a great deal!

[Stom]

It’s not that time consuming. I put a lot of time and thought in to my initial squad but that’s because I’m a geek. Beyond that I wouldn’t say I spend much more than 30mins per week on selection.

The more time consuming element is managing the transfers if squad rotations wreck your plans.

In all honesty, all the analysis I did hasn’t really helped anyway. There’s not a lot in it, but I’ve scored less points than I did at this point last season so all the lessons I thought I’d learned don’t seem to have counted for a great deal!

It's been a hard start to the season with the rotation. The cheaper players you used to be able to rely on have not been playing every game.

[Scrumhead]

Yep. That along with some players who scored reliably well last season scoring consistently poorly so far - Bateman and Adams being the main culprits for me.

I guess one season’s worth of data was never going to be enough of a sample size to be accurate. An average of two seasons will be a lot better for me end of season analysis this year.

[Puja]

I did contemplate starting this season but it seems quite time consuming. If the points scoring is a pretty accurate reflection of performance then I’m more likely to give it a go next season.

It's actually remarkably well balanced; there's no single route to success and each position tends to score a similar amount of points. The only thing which I'd say it doesn't cover is players who hit lots of rucks and secure their own ball, but frankly I'll forgive them for not doing ruck marks for every game!

Puja

[Mellsblue]

I did contemplate starting this season but it seems quite time consuming. If the points scoring is a pretty accurate reflection of performance then I’m more likely to give it a go next season.

I'll forgive them for not doing ruck marks for every game!

Puja

Only a proper weirdo would do that

[Scrumhead]

I also like the fact that players who put in an individually good performance in a losing side still get plenty of recognition in the form of points. Jono Ross has been a very solid pick for me despite being in an underperforming Sale side.

[Peej]

I gambled and picked Briz players. I left Mills and Adams out of my squad for this week. Fair to say that hasn't paid off

[Stom]

I gambled and picked Briz players. I left Mills and Adams out of my squad for this week. Fair to say that hasn't paid off

lol. I also gambled with Briz players. But that's mainly because Uren was the only starting SH I could afford and the rest of my squad in other positions were not playing...

Was hoping for a bit better return...

[Peej]

I actually had an above average week for me, and cleared 400. If I'd been a bit smarter in my choices (starting van Rensburg, including Adams over Lewington, Mills over Madigan) I think I would have gotten 500. Which is bloody annoying. Having missed two weeks selections due to work I need all the luck I can get to catch up!

[Scrumhead]

I had a fairly good week, but like Peej, a couple of poor choices stopped me having a really good week.

My two wingers scored the princely total of 2 points between them! Even if they’d scored 10 points each, I’d have broken 500. Even more annoying considering I had Adams on the bench, although even half of his points were more than my entire back three combined!

At least for once I picked a good choice of captain.

[Scrumhead]

Latest Rugby Rebels League standings: https://therugbymagazine.com/fantasy/pr ... remiership

Team of the week:

1. Y. Thomas (Bristol)
2. Webber (Sale)
3. Sinckler (Harlequins)
4. B. Evans (Sale)
5. Grobler (Gloucester)
6. Mama (Worcester)
7. T. Curry (Sale)
8. van Velze (Worcester)
9. Hougaard (Worcester)
10. Cipriani (Gloucester)
11. J. Holmes (Leicester)
12. Mills (Worcester)
13. Venter (Worcester)
14. Adams (Worcester)
15. Burns (Bath)

Worcester dominating the team of the week today after a big performance today.

[Raggs]

McGinty is out for 12 weeks... I don't think I have a frontline kicker any more.

Bloody hell this is a tough season.

EDIT - And Mako looked injured too didn't he! Buggeration, he was probably more expensive than whoever it was I've already fired! 20 point penalty coming up I suspect.

[Scrumhead]

I’m the same. I’ll be missing Robson, Johnny Hill and probably Mako.

Not sure what the story is with Veainu either ...

[Raggs]

Christ I forgot about Robson...

I'll open it up when lineouts come out, and see what hope I have...

[Scrumhead]

Yeah - that’s basically where I’m at ... if selection is kind to me, I may be OK, but if not I’ll need to take a hit on points.

[Peej]

I may hold on to Robson. I feel that if I sell him now I won't get him back, and he was one of my top points scorers.

[Stom]

In case anyone (like me) had forgotten the Prem starts up again tonight and it's time to set teams!!!

God knows what I'm going to do. I thought I'd sorted lock but then Scotland just called up Skinner, Grobler is on the bench along with Spencer...

Jeez.

[Peej]

Struggling at hooker, prop and back row this week. Think I'm going to take a 20 point hit

[Stom]

Struggling at hooker, prop and back row this week. Think I'm going to take a 20 point hit

I've managed to get a starting pack out with a little shuffling, but the bench and the wings are a mess... Only one of my back 3 are starting.

I'm going to be taking that hit. But I may need to take an even bigger hit... Let's see who I can let go.

[Peej]

I've got a starting 15 out, and it's not bad, but only 3 of my bench are even playing this weekend. Trying to decide if the hit will be worth the return

[Puja]

Got 15 starters with just the one sub, but spent an extra 20 points to bring in a couple extra so I can have choice in my selections and have a full bench. Still got 5 of my bench as grey dots, but I'm not sure I can justify another 20 points and I'm running out of big money players to flog anyway!

Puja

[Peej]

Done it. But even after buying a replacement, and with 90K in the bank, I can't afford another lock or back 3 player!

[Stom]

Was really tempted by Tom Willis. At 104k he's a steal. But didn't go for it.

Took the 20 point hit, but kept the spine of the team intact. Still unable to shift the deadwood as none of them are of high enough value to allow me to buy anyone else. Next week I'll try to clear one of them but I've got 4 of the buggers!

[Shiny]

I got a starting 14 out with a starter playing from the bench. My bench is in poor state with 3 non players. I don't think its going to be a good couple of weeks (and I deliberately tried to avoid buying big names who would be away for internationals).