World Cup Semi-Final Week
Hello #Dream Team
No France trip for us this week, we watched the games from the comfort of our own couches…shouting at the television as I imagine many of you were. The New Zealand Vs Argentina game went as expected, an unfortunate outcome of what was a stacked draw on one side and despite rooting for the Argentine team (I think there is something in the British psyche that makes us perpetually root for the underdog), I can’t say I was surprised.
There were some truly outstanding individual performances from the All Blacks. The likes of Ardie Savea was brilliant as always, as well as Jordie Barrett put in incredible performances, but undoubtedly the star of the show has to go to Will Jordan. He has equalled the world record for tries scored in a world cup and were in not for a bit of white line fever from Mo’unga he would have almost certainly beat it! While I know he will be focussed exclusively on winning the cup this weekend there has to be a part of him thinking about the possibility of beating some of the greats of the game in Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana. I reckon he gets the record this weekend, I may even have a cheeky bet on it.
In what was expected to be a similarly lopsided game, England took on South Africa. I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous for a game. I have long been an ardent supporter and have often found a way to have faith in the team when it seems ludicrous to do so, but even I thought this might be a step to far at this stage of this team’s development. Oh, how wrong I was. In a physical and tactical masterclass England not only matched the reigning champions South Africa but outperformed them for the vast majority of the game. George Martin was immense on the biggest start of his young test career, Itoje was back to his best, Steward as imperious in the air as he has ever been…to a man it would be hard to point to a player that didn’t rise to the occasion. But then, just as I had dared to hope, rugby proved once again what a cruel mistress she can be and the power of the South African scrum, this time in the shape of Ox Nche and Vincent Koch put on a scrummaging demonstration to remind the world just why they are the reigning world champions. I was devastated for 3 days, and it still stings a little, but there are definitely green shoots to be excited about going forward.
This weekend the big show will once again see the titans of the Southern Hemisphere meet in the final. While I think New Zealand will edge the game, I wouldn’t want to put a bet on it and discounting the Boks has been dangerous before and the All Blacks will remember the beating they took in Twickenham just before the World Cup. Whichever way the game goes, it promises to be a match for the ages. The commiseration prize of third will be fought for between Argentina and England. A game that although many will say doesn’t mean anything will be interesting none the less. I hope we will see more free flowing rugby and looking at England’s selections it looks likely, opting for Smith at 15 after returning from concussion and Henry Arundell on the wing (with the side story of the unlikely event that he scores 3 trys to equal the record and 4 to beat it). The story is also a decent one, with a repeat of Argentina Vs England where they met in the first of their pool games. Argentina will undoubtedly be looking for a bit of redemption and it’s a good test for England if they can reach the emotional and performance highs of last week after the deflation and emotion of that loss.
World Cup Fantasy Week in Review
I was feeling pretty smug this weekend having taken the chance on Will Jordan for the triple captain and, coming in at 318 it definitely paid off! Telea Savea and Smith all brought in respectable hauls as well. In the England Vs South Africa, I had counter intuitively stacked my team with English players, opting for only Malherbe, De Allende, and Colbe from South Africa. Despite what was a courageous performance, it was never going to be a game to build big score lines. Marchant brought only 3, Earl (despite what was a standout performance) only 13. Farrell had a great day from the tee, only accumulated 23 and my highest scoring England player was Itoje with 27.
All of that being said, my score did see me rise in most of my leagues (and most importantly continue to beat Ni), I am now ranked 206th out of nearly 4,000 in the Dream Team Rugby league and 4,952nd out of the just over 95,000 players in the England League. Both of those put me just outside the top 5% of the groups which hopefully I can manage to break into this week.
World Cup Fantasy Look Ahead
This week the number of players you can select from an individual team rises from 5 to 6 meaning you can almost completely load your team which whoever you are backing to win. I’m not saying that this is always the best strategy, but it stands to reason that a winning team is more likely to win you points. That gives you two real options a. Gamble on who you’re backing to take home 1st and 3rd or balance your team to mitigate against any huge results either way. I personally have always been partial to a bit of risk so will be backing New Zealand and England to win these games.
From those playing this weekend it’s so difficult to choose but below we’ve had a go at giving you some options we think might be worth selecting in your team.
Prop:
1. F. Malherbe: Remains one of the best scrummaging props in the world and a great all-round player. It would seem ludicrous not to have a springbok in your front row.
2. E. Genge: Despite not reaching his rampaging best yet this tournament, as one of the more senior players on the pitch for England I’m optimistic he can get back to his baby rhino ways.
3. T. Gallo: Against the All Blacks, in a match where Argentina were well beaten Gallo still managed to accrue a respectable 36 points. He is the highest scoring prop available and surely a shoe in for most people’s fantasy team.
Hooker:
1. B. Mbonambi: You can expect a full 80 from Mbonambi this week with Fourie usually used to play in the back row. Also, behind England one of the teams most likely to use and be successful from their mauling.
2. J. Montoya: The highest scoring Hooker available, managed 27 points last week against Codie Taylor in a game where Argentina were comprehensively beaten. This week he goes up against considerably less experienced opposition in what should be a closer game.
Second Row:
1. R. Snyman: Even off the bench, an excellent choice as England fans will attest to. Powerful in the carry and a high work rate. With him on the bench it would be a gamble and will depend on when he is brought on.
2. M. Itoje: Immense in last weeks game. His breakdown work was exceptional as he was in the lineout. A good option
3. E. Etzebeth: One of the best players in the world, confirmed by his nomination as a World Rugby Player of the year. Despite an early departure last week, still considered a safe bet.
Back Row:
1. A. Savea: There can’t be much debate that Savea is one of the best back row players in the world, even better is that his high work rate translates really well into points on the fantasy game.
2. S. Frizzell: An impressive player and powerful carrier who came away with 2 trys last weekend, if he can repeat that then I’ll be very happy.
3. B. Earl: Playing number 8, he has all but made the jersey his own for England. We got a glimpse of his pace against Fiji and despite his relatively small size for his position he is a powerful carrier and can be relied upon to hunt the ball.
4. K. Smith: Again, another one off the bench for South Africa. For a short period of time, he has immense contributions. Capable of playing in the centre and back row his versatility not only gives South Africa a variety of options but also means he has a huge skill set and can win you points across the park.
Scrum Half:
1. A. Smith: A consistent point scorer and in my opinion the best 9 left in the competition. Will definitely be my first choice.
2. F. De Klerk: An excellent scrum half for the way SA play and given there is no 9 cover in the Springbok squad with them having gone fore a 7-1 split and Le Roux on the bench he’s likely to have to play the full 80.
Fly Half:
1. M. Smith: Back from concussion, Smith is selected at Fullback against Argentina. We have seen the potential of this positional change against Chile and may be worth a punt that this one goes the same way.
2. O. Farrell (Triple Kicker): Farrell has positively impacted all of the games he has been available to play this RWC and I’m not expecting this one to be any different (one interesting fact, England has not missed a single drop goal attempt in the WC and they have attempted 5). Expect him to take control of things taking the points and even maybe a drop goal opportunity or two if the opportunity presents.
3. R. Mounga: The highest scoring FH from the last round, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same this week. The only reason he doesn’t get my vote for triple kicker is the opposition, I’m not expecting a hugely high scoring game in the final so there may be limited opportunities to kick.
Centres:
1. J. Marchant: Another player that is comfortable on the wing or the centres. Arguably one of England’s stand out performers of the tournament having scored two trys over the course of the tournament and both of them against some of the red rose’s closer games.
2. J. Barrett: Many initially scoffed at his transition from full back to centre, but it has paid off in spades for the All Blacks. His huge boot and defensive prowess have become important components in this finalist All Blacks side. He does also offer the speed and try scoring ability of a back three players in your centres.
3. M. Tuilagi: This is likely to be his last game in an England shirt and I would expect to see Tuilagi go out with a bang.
Back Three:
1. H. Arundell: England’s wonder kid who has scored nearly as many trys as he has caps. Explosive speed, a lightning step and power all combine into a lethal winger. With him and Smith in the backfield he could have a performance to remember.
2. W. Jordan: 1 try stands between him and the world record for most trys ever scored in a world cup! I’m backing him to get it and to get some serious points along the way.
3. M. Telea: I don’t think I have seen a more evasive winner. I daren’t even think of the number of defenders he beat last week. Provided he gets to bed in time, he would be difficult to omit.
4. K. Arendse: An electric winger who has proved his ability to score trys. His evasive running and just outright speed are definitely super strengths of his.
5. E. Boffelli: Being able to kick for goal from just about anywhere on the pitch is not a skill to be ignored this late in the tournament. He not only offers points from the boot but is also a smart player and often finds himself on the end of a pass to put him over the line. That in a game where I’d expect to see more trys being scored is seriously valuable.
Premiership Rugby Week 2
Newcastle vs Gloucester
The week started with Newcastle Falcons vs Gloucester. Oval Insights, the official data provider to the premiership, had predicted Falcons to win by two so I suppose the result of Gloucester 18 to Newcastle 14 could be considered an upset. The weather played a significant part in the game with the teams playing in what looked like the onslaught of Storm Babet. Despite the conditions there were some impressive performances. Adam Radwan showed his blistering pace with two line breaks which came out nowhere. One of which resulted in a try and the other was only saved by a grasping tackle by Steven Varney. It has been quite a bit of time now that he has been consistently having these highlight reel moments. Zach Mercer continued his impressive run of form, although he may not of had many glory moments yet in the premiership, he has topped the charts for Carries, Defenders beaten and Gainline success. There was also a good story line in George McGuigan returning to his old club and scoring at their home ground, that being said it was a somewhat tumultuous day with him also receiving a yellow card and penalty try for collapsing a maul. On the other side of the scrum, Jamie Blamire continued back in his preferred position of Hooker after playing big parts of last season as a Back Row player, in that way he makes a particularly interesting pick almost in the mould of Dean Fourie for South Africa.
Saracens vs Bath
Next up Saracens took on Bath at home. It’s been an unexpected start to the season for Saracens. As last year’s champions you would be forgiven for expecting them to win against the teams, they have faced so far but alas, they were decisively beaten by Bath on Saturday. Even after an early charge down try from Andy Christie, which showed surprising pace from a back rower, arguably the highlight of the weekend, Finn Russell was creating the magic he is renowned for. The try he set up for De Glanville was wonderful to watch. Ben spencer also had a great game with a beautiful Crossfield kick to put McConnochie away in the corner. Saracens can take heart though from the return of their many internationals soon. It has already started with the return of Nick Tomkins and Lozowski will almost certainly relinquish kicking duty on the return of Owen Farrell.
Bristol Bears vs Northampton Saints
Bristol Bears Triumphed over Northampton Saints 33 – 27. Bristol must have one of the most exciting centre partnerships in the prem, between Vakatawa and Van Rensburg, who was on fire for London Irish last season. Add to that Callum Sheedy who can be a very exciting fly half, Harry Thacker (who like Tom Roebuck has scored in both games he has played, and he did that pretty much all last season) and Harry Randall and you have a very exciting team. Trys came through Magnus Bradbury x 2, Max Lahiff and Harry Thacker. The Saints fired first though, and Tom Seabrook did well to finish 2 trys in the game both assisted by James Ramm who is soooooo good at creating space on the outside! Pearson got another of his own and you definitely get the sense that his name is going to be mentioned a lot over the course of this season. An interesting change was Tommy Freeman playing at 13. His usual position is on the wing, but could he be the new Elliot Daly, with versatility across the back three and the centre? Unfortunately, we won’t find out any time soon as he sustained an injury during the game.
Leicester Tigers vs Sale Sharks
Sale maintained their win record with 2 difficult games under their belt against 2 of the 4 semi-finalists from last season complete. Leicester looked dangerous and led for large parts of the game after trys from Mike Brown and Hanro Liebenberg. Ollie Hassel-Collins scored his first try for Leicester after his move from London Irish and he was only just denied a 2nd after a knock on over the try line. For Sale, Tom Roebuck has scored in both of their games so far this season, continuing his impressive form from last year and even though the Sale fans will be ready for George Ford to come back, Rob Du Preez has again shown that he is a more than capable deputy for the England international. Ernst Van Rhyn has so far been an excellent signing for Sale, adding to the South African contingent of Sale Sharks, his work rate is huge and it seemed wherever the action was you could spot his white scrum cap in the heart of it.
Harlequins vs Exeter
Exeter started off the season with a bang but unfortunately couldn’t keep it going against Harlequins. In a particularly painful game for Exeter, they were not only denied the losing bonus point by a turnover penalty for Alex Dombrandt at the death, but they also suffered an injury to their new star fullback in Josh Hodge. It looked to be an elbow injury and we wish him a speedy recovery. For Quins there are a few things to be excited about, not least of which is Lois Lynagh back to try scoring ways! Many (not me) would argue slightly less glamorous is their scrum success, with them maintaining a 100% win rate at the scrum. Fin Baxter is looking to be a capable deputy for Joe Marler and is definitely one to watch for the future.
Premiership Rugby Fantasy Team
