Preview: SuperBru Fantasy & Predictor Leagues
With the World Cup just days away rugby365 will be hosting two interactive leagues for you, the fan, to get more involved and take on the editorial team.
The following below is a step by step guide about how you can sign up and who I tip to be the top Fantasy Players for the opening games of the tournament.
We will be doing firstly :
Fantasy Rugby World Cup League where you select players from various teams to make up your Fantasy side and then they are scored according to per. This takes some skill, but if you think you know your rugby I highly recommend you play!.
Secondly:
World Cup Predictor Pool: More laid back than the "Fantasy League" we encourage you to join us. This league is all about predicting what you think the scores will be and you guessed it… the person who gets the closest scores wins the league!.
How to sign up?
Head over to www.superbru.com and sign up for the Fantasy Rugby World Cup and the Rugby World Cup Predictor leagues under the rugby tab.
Join the following rugby365 leagues.
Fantasy Rugby World Cup League link: www.superbru.com/rwcfantasy
Join our pool with the following league code: impseery or simply select join league and search for rugby365 (no spaces)
Rugby World Cup Predictor League link: www.superbru.com/rwcpredictor
Join our pool with the following league code: lyrawise or simply select join league and search for rugby365 (no spaces)
Please note: At the time this article was written team news was not released. Make sure your Fantasy selections are indeed starting.
MATCH 1: England vs Fiji
To the northern hemisphere rugby fan Fiji may be a bit of an unknown entity. But… to the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby fan upon closer inspection you will find that there are a couple gems in the Fiji outfit. Obviously I tip England to win this one but if the game opens up the English could be in trouble.
Superbru Score Prediction: England by at least 21
Tipped Fantasy Players
Nemani Nadolo: Outside Back (Fiji) : The Jonah Lomu like winger had a sensational season for the Crusaders in Super Rugby. Nadolo is an absolute collossus of a man and could reward Fantasy managers if selected for your side. Nadolo in addition kicks for goal for the Fijian national team increasing his Fantasy value though he may find opportunities hard to come by against the English.
Asaeli Tikoirotuma: Outside Back (Fiji): This man has gas to burn! Currently Tikoirotuma plays for Harlequins in the UK after having a couple successful seasons with the Waikato Chiefs.
Jonathan Joseph: Centre (England) : I believe that Joseph will score some big fantasy points in this game, and could be one to watch out for.
Chris Robshaw: Backrow (England): Look I think England will dominate up front, in saying that the entire backrow should be amongst the Fantasy points though my selection will be influencial captain Robshaw
George Ford: Flyhalf (England): From what I have heard and seen of George Ford he is a quality number 10 and against Fiji in a expected high scoring game Ford should rack up the points for fantasy managers.
MATCH 2: Tonga vs Georgia
Both teams are a bit of an unknown with Tonga having a couple players who have played in Super Rugby and seven players in the squad playing in the Aviva Premiership.
Superbru Score Prediction: Tonga to win between 25-35 points
Tipped Fantasy Players
Fetu'u Vainikolo: Outside Back (Tonga): This man is an absolute flyer! He plays his club rugby for Exeter Chiefs and will certainly score big points against Georgia.
Soane Tonga’uiha: Prop (Tonga) : The veteran prop plays for Oyannax and should be able to get the upper hand on his Georgian opponent on the weekend.
Steve Mafi: Lock (Tonga): Mafi had a fantastic Super Rugby campaign for the Western Force and really should be considered for your fantasy side for the weekend.
Mamuka Gorgodze: Backrow (Georgia): The veteran flanker is one of Georgias star players, and if they are to do well I expect Gorgodze to be the best pick for Fantasy sides.
MATCH 3: Ireland vs Canada
Theres only one winner here folks, Ireland come off a successful Six Nations and I dont think Canada stand a chance.
Superbru Score Prediction: Ireland to win between 40-60 points I would expect.
Tipped Fantasy Players:
Rory Best: Hooker (Ireland): Best has a huge work rate almost acting as an additional loose forward. A solid selection for your Fantasy team for this weekend.
Tommy Bowe: Wing (Ireland): If Bowe starts he will almost certainly be scoring against the Canadaians . Good selection for this week, not so much long term.
Johnny Sexton:Flyhalf (Ireland): In my view Sexton will be the top scoring fantasy player this weekend. Plenty conversions, plenty penalties and maybe a couple trys also.
Note: Anyone you select from Ireland should do well for you this weekend.
Phil Mackenzie: Center (Canada): Mackenzie plays centre for the Sale Sharks and from what I have heard , he is a decent player if you are looking to select a Canadian for your side.
Jebb Sinclair: Backrow (Canada): I watched a lot of Sinclair play for the Stormers a couple years back and I was extremely impressed with him. He now plays for London Irish and I expect if anything good happens for Canada that it will be a result of Sinclairs high work rate.
MATCH 4: South Africa vs Japan
One winner here folks, I expect a couple of South Africas fringe players to be given a chance.
Superbru Score Prediction: South Africa by more than 50 points
Lood De Jager: South Africa (Lock): if given a starting postion (which I think he might) will do well for you as he has a huge work rate for a lock forward which was seen in his impressive performances in the Rugby Championship.
Damien De Allende: South Africa (Centre): This guy is an absolute machine, he was outstanding for the Stormers in Super Rugby and I truly believe he is going to be one of the brightest players in World Rugby for years to come.
Lwazi Mvovo: South Africa (Wing): If Mvovo starts against Japan I can see him crossing the line a couple times. Solid selection for your Fantasy side.
Francois Louw: South Africa (Backrow): Not sure if he will start this game, but if he does I can see him scoring a couple tries from the maul. Solid fantasy selection.
Michael Leitch: Japan (Backrow): Leitch had a good Super Rugby campaign for the Chiefs. Unfortunately he plays for Japan and that could affect his Fantasy points but if you want a Japanese player Leich is your man!.
Fumiaki Tanaka: Japan (Scrumhalf): Tanaka was very influencial as a understudy to Aaron Smith at the Highlanders. Very good player. Again if you looking for a Japanese player Tanaka is a good selection.
Note: Any South African player you select should reward you well against Japan
MATCH 5: France vs Italy
Tough opening game for both of these Six Nations teams. I think it will be a tight game.
Superbru Score Prediction: France by 7-12 points
Tipped Fantasy Players:
Thierry Dusitoir: Backrow (France) : This man is a beast and has been a beast his entire career. Though this match is tough for Fantasy points Dusitoir could be a great long term selection in your side.
Wesley Fofana: Center (France): One of France's exciting players. If the game opens up Fofana is your man.
Pascal Pape: Lock (France): A leader! Pape ensures you as a manager that you have a player with a high work rate.
Martin Castrogiovanni: Prop (Italy): This man can scrum anyone on his day! If it is his day , then you will be hugely rewarded for selecting the caveman looking fella.
Andrea Masi: Outside Back (Italy): Masi has been around for years. He knows Italian rugby inside out. He should do well for the team but probably not against the French.
MATCH 6: Samoa vs USA
Personally I believe that this Samoan outfit are extrememly underrated. They have some seriously good players in their squad. I believe that they will beat the USA comfortably and could even (in my view) make it to the quarterfinals.
Superbru Score Prediction: Samoa by 25 points
Tipped Fantasy Players:
Tim Nanai-Williams:Outside Back (Samoa): Nanai-Williams has been one of the top Super Rugby players for the Chiefs for the past 4-5 seasons. He has incredible flair and a potent step. I believe that Nanai-Williams will be scoring some serious fantasy points this weekend.
Kahn Fotualii: Scrumhalf (Samoa): Fotualii plays for Northampton Saints and previously played at the Crusaders. He is full of excitement and with not many scrumhalf options Fotualii could be a decent shout in an exciting Samoan team.
TJ Ioane: Backrow (Samoa): Not sure if TJ will start, but if he does then he will be a fantastic fantasy rugby addition to your side. TJ was a beast for the Highlanders two seasons back in Super Rugby and if he can regain his form he will reward you as a manager well.
Motu Matu'u: Hooker (Samoa): Known as the human wrecking ball for the Hurricanes, Matu'u has proved to be a fantastic, versatile and devastating hooker in the past few seasons.
Samu Manoa : Backrow (USA): Tipped to be the USA's best player, I have heard that Manoa is one player to watch at the World Cup. I am not keen on selecting players from the USA but if I was too, Manoa would be my selection.
MATCH 7: Wales vs Uraguay
One way traffic in this clash!, Wales should dominate this game and in effect any Welshman you select should do well for your side.
Superbru Score Prediction: Wales by 50
Tipped Fantasy Players
George North: Outside Back (Wales): North is a beast and Uraguay will find it hard to contain the talented Winger. A definite selection for the first weekend.
Sam Warburton: Backrow (Wales): Wales should dominate the Uraguay pack for the entire game with Warburton leading from the front this could be a great selection.
Note: Any Welsh selection should do well for your Fantasy side this weekend.
MATCH 8: New Zealand vs Argentina
The clash of the weekend! New Zealand will win, but they wont run away with this one against a stubborn Argentina side.
Superbru Score Prediction: New Zealand by 15
Tipped Fantasy Players:
Julian Savea: Outside Back (New Zealand): Savea is one of the best players in world rugby. If you dont select him , I dont think you will enjoy watching this match.
Dane Coles: Hooker (New Zealand): Coles is great, he has such a high workrate and is always getting stuck in. A certain fantasy selection
Nehe Milner Skudder: Outside Back (New Zealand): Not sure is Nehe will start, but if he does then he will be a fantastic addition to your fantasy side. He is such a naturally gifted rugby player.
Brodie Retallick: Lock (New Zealand): In my opinion most of the locks are rather boring (and dont really score many Fantasy points). BUT … with Retallick you get a young and extrememly exciting player. Get him in your side. You wont be disapointed!
Marcos Ayerza: Prop (Argentina): Ayerza taught the Boks a lesson up front in the Rugby Championship. If this continues he could be a great addition to your fantasy front row.
Augustin Creevy: Hooker (Argentina): Creevy is becoming one of the best hookers in world rugby, this may not be the best match fantasy wise for Argentina but Creevy is possibly a very good long term selection.
Nicholas Sanchez: Flyhalf (Argentina): Sanchez had a solid Rugby Championship. I expect to see big things from him during the World Cup.
By Andrew Howitt
@ARHowitt12
@Rugby365
