The Rugby Magazine - Fantasy Rugby

[Scrumhead]

Has anyone signed up to the fantasy game at www.therugbymagazine.com ?

It's the first time I've seen it but it looks great. The most polished and detailed fantasy rugby game I've seen for the Premiership by a long, long way.

I've signed up and it would be great to set-up a Rugby Rebels league.

Who's in?

If you're keen, can you put the referral code c3932 please???

[Puja]

Looks interesting. Normally I'm very wary of fantasy rugby games, as the nature of the sport doesn't suit the stripped down simplicity of normal fantasy sports, but this one looks well thought through with most of the points scored from Opta metrics. Worth signing up just to get access to that level of Opta stats, tbh!

I'd be interested in a RR league. Do you want to do the honours SH?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

most of the points scored from Opta metrics.

Puja

I'm picking Harry Sloan.

[Scrumhead]

Looks interesting. Normally I'm very wary of fantasy rugby games, as the nature of the sport doesn't suit the stripped down simplicity of normal fantasy sports, but this one looks well thought through with most of the points scored from Opta metrics. Worth signing up just to get access to that level of Opta stats, tbh!

I'd be interested in a RR league. Do you want to do the honours SH?

Puja

Absolutely ... happy to do so.

All set up as follows:

https://therugbymagazine.com/fantasy/le ... ac3e187845
Unique Token: 79ac3e187845

I've just picked my squad. Really interesting doing it as a full squad rather than just a XV.

I ended up with a squad of 32 for just shy of £7m. Some of the valuations are a bit off and I noticed Francis Saili is playing for London Irish , but so far, I'm impressed.

[Puja]

most of the points scored from Opta metrics.

Puja

I'm picking Harry Sloan.

Mark Atkinson looks underpriced given his reputation...

Puja

[Stom]

You get a lot of cash to build a squad. I can replace my 2 cheapest players with the most expensive equivalents and still be under 7mil.

[bitts]

You get a lot of cash to build a squad. I can replace my 2 cheapest players with the most expensive equivalents and still be under 7mil.

How many players in your squad though? I'm torn between picking a very strong 28 and hoping to get lucky with injuries/ rotation or picking a weaker but bigger squad, which would give me more options and give me more chance of getting a 23 of starters out each week.

Worryingly I've only get one Sarries and one Exceter player in the squad. Which suggests something has gone wrong.

[Stom]

You get a lot of cash to build a squad. I can replace my 2 cheapest players with the most expensive equivalents and still be under 7mil.

How many players in your squad though? I'm torn between picking a very strong 28 and hoping to get lucky with injuries/ rotation or picking a weaker but bigger squad, which would give me more options and give me more chance of getting a 23 of starters out each week.

Worryingly I've only get one Sarries and one Exceter player in the squad. Which suggests something has gone wrong.

Did some fiddling, and got 28 players but 710k left in the bank.

Yeah, only 2 Sarries and 3 Exe players for me. Sarries in particular are all about teamwork and control rather than individual brilliance. So I've got a load of Bath players

Some players who I think would be wonderful are injured. So I'll be looking to sub them in later on in the season. So I picked some 3rd choices who will grow in value, I'd hope, give me some flexibility.

[bitts]

You get a lot of cash to build a squad. I can replace my 2 cheapest players with the most expensive equivalents and still be under 7mil.

How many players in your squad though? I'm torn between picking a very strong 28 and hoping to get lucky with injuries/ rotation or picking a weaker but bigger squad, which would give me more options and give me more chance of getting a 23 of starters out each week.

Worryingly I've only get one Sarries and one Exceter player in the squad. Which suggests something has gone wrong.

Did some fiddling, and got 28 players but 710k left in the bank.

Yeah, only 2 Sarries and 3 Exe players for me. Sarries in particular are all about teamwork and control rather than individual brilliance. So I've got a load of Bath players

Some players who I think would be wonderful are injured. So I'll be looking to sub them in later on in the season. So I picked some 3rd choices who will grow in value, I'd hope, give me some flexibility.

I've ended up with 30, but I imagine I'll be tinkering a lot. Thought the same reason Sarries, plus rotation is a bitch to keep up with. I've ended up with two from each.

I've also ended up with four Newcastle Falcons, which probably shows a little bias but they could help out come International window time.

[Puja]

You get a lot of cash to build a squad. I can replace my 2 cheapest players with the most expensive equivalents and still be under 7mil.

How many players in your squad though? I'm torn between picking a very strong 28 and hoping to get lucky with injuries/ rotation or picking a weaker but bigger squad, which would give me more options and give me more chance of getting a 23 of starters out each week.

Worryingly I've only get one Sarries and one Exceter player in the squad. Which suggests something has gone wrong.

It's a bit of an odd thing - you're actually better off picking players from worse clubs because there's less competition and you're more likely to get them playing every week.

Puja

[Raggs]

Signed up, picked 30, then swapped about 4, then looked again, and fired 2, then looked again and reconsidered, then thought a bit more etc etc.

A point that may help though in case others haven't noticed, the bench is a 4 forwards, 4 backs split, so there's no need to for 2 prop backups.

[Digby]

I've manged to end up with 31 players, depth in meh

[bitts]

Signed up, picked 30, then swapped about 4, then looked again, and fired 2, then looked again and reconsidered, then thought a bit more etc etc.

A point that may help though in case others haven't noticed, the bench is a 4 forwards, 4 backs split, so there's no need to for 2 prop backups.

I've still got six who prop, two of which can be hooker, as I think International call ups, attrition and rotation will play havoc in those positions.

[Raggs]

I'm a bit concerned about taking lions at the moment, since they'll likely not be involved at first. But equally, with only 1 free transfer a week, I can't just wait until they start getting played. Taken some, and hoping for enough balance elsewhere.

[Digby]

I've got six props too, only one of which is hooker cover.

[Scrumhead]

You get a lot of cash to build a squad. I can replace my 2 cheapest players with the most expensive equivalents and still be under 7mil.

How many players in your squad though? I'm torn between picking a very strong 28 and hoping to get lucky with injuries/ rotation or picking a weaker but bigger squad, which would give me more options and give me more chance of getting a 23 of starters out each week.

Worryingly I've only get one Sarries and one Exceter player in the squad. Which suggests something has gone wrong.

It's a bit of an odd thing - you're actually better off picking players from worse clubs because there's less competition and you're more likely to get them playing every week.

Puja

Yeah - it's actually really challenging to pick the right mix for the squad. I've got one I'm happy with for now, but I dare say I'll rip it up and start again over the course of the next month.

There's lots to take in to consideration - i.e. International call-ups, rest periods for Lions players etc. At the moment I only have one Lion and a handful of internationals.

I'm also mulling over whether some players who I wouldn't immediately gravitate towards are statistically good and therefore better picks for the game? This game is a bit like moneyball in that sense.

I'd almost like to pick two squads. One based upon my opinions on players and one based on cold, hard statistics.

[Scrumhead]

Signed up, picked 30, then swapped about 4, then looked again, and fired 2, then looked again and reconsidered, then thought a bit more etc etc.

A point that may help though in case others haven't noticed, the bench is a 4 forwards, 4 backs split, so there's no need to for 2 prop backups.

I also noticed that.

The multiple position thing is interesting too as in theory, you could pick 5 number 8s (if they can also play as locks or flankers) if you fancy them to get more metres/be more likely to score tries.

I'll certainly be picking some teams for the game that I'd never dream of selecting in a 'real-life' scenario.

[Raggs]

Equally, whilst a flanker might get more meters, every meter a lock makes is worth more, and locks are more likely to take lineouts.

It's a tricky one, but there's definitely some scope for cross over. Kickers are a pain too. So many clubs may be changing their kicker next season, guess Bath will definitely be going with Burns, but he's going to be in a new team with a lot of new players. Gopps may not be starting at 12, or could be at 12 (clearly a great choice, but where to put him). Steenson or Slade? Ford? Or will Toomua kick sticks? Or 1/2p? Myler or Francis? Takalua at Falcons, or Hodgson, or Flood? At Glaws will Woodward play? Kick sticks? Or is that Williams? Or Burns jr? Clearly Farrell will kick, but after Lions, and with England duty, is he worth the wages? Ben Spencer could be a great pick, but will Wiggles be starting ahead of him (especially if Farrell isn't there).

It's fun but frustrating.

[Scrumhead]

I imagine the most common picks will be fairly obvious high points scorers without international commitments i.e. Gopperth or Wade.

I think the trick will be picking the less obvious/cheap, unheralded players who consistently score well.

[Raggs]

There's an advantage to cheap players of course, but you can only get so many people in a 23, don't see the point in getting too large a squad.

[Digby]

There's an advantage to cheap players of course, but you can only get so many people in a 23, don't see the point in getting too large a squad.

More flexibility in the face of injury if you're only allowed 1 free transfer per week

[Raggs]

There's an advantage to cheap players of course, but you can only get so many people in a 23, don't see the point in getting too large a squad.

More flexibility in the face of injury if you're only allowed 1 free transfer per week

I've got 29 at the moment, would need to change a lot of players to free up enough for a decent 30th player. Will no doubt look into it, but it's an interesting conundrum.

I will say, have the upgrades unlocked gives a potentially large advantage in picking out good performers from lower teams. The guys you'd expect to score highly, do so, but there's a few lower down that get much better scores than I would have thought.

[Digby]

Main problem is trying to work out who'll start for a number of clubs

[Raggs]

I think you still get free transfers until the deadline for the first week, so first lineups should at least give a clue.

[Scrumhead]

I'm pretty sure it's unlimited transfers until 1st September.