Sorry for the delay folks… A largely stable week in the G&GR Fantasy Comp. The top 3 of the league remain the same (Steven Hawkin keeps the crown another week), however a slightly off round resulted in him slipping to 2nd overall in the global competition. Some bloody South African (not one of our beloved Saffas) leads the way now! I don’t know about you, but I’ll be very disappointed if one of our G&GR boys/girls doesn’t bring the title home. On the brightside, we still have a fairly commanding lead in the league average table.
Champ of the round was “Pdivvy Massive” with an impressive 473 points, pumping him into the top 50 of the standings. Had a good selection with several dream-teamers for the round in his squad, including a few of the blinders list. Giving the real PdV a run for his money in the selection department, one might argue. “Todds Turkeys” has also had a couple good weeks in a row and is on the way up with some pace. A few good weeks strung together can bring anyone to the top. I’m predicting a tight finish. Now on to the usual stuff…
Blinders
- Pierre Spies, Bulls: Hasn’t had the best run of health this year, but the man mountain is impressive when he hits form. It’s nearly impossible for him not the have a big game when he gets his carries, which is really the difference week to week with him. If you have him, pray he sees some ball.
- Dan Halangahu, ‘Tahs: Hangers has been on a hot streak lately and kicking goals for the Tahs is a pretty good way to keep it going. But outside of that his defensive and attacking numbers have been superb. He’s done it against some lesser competition you could say (Sharks, Lions, Force and Blues) but I think he’ll keep it going as he’s got the confidence to do it.
- Ma’a Nonu, ‘Canes: Mascara Man makes his appearance finally after a pretty dreadful start to the season. And having watched most of his match against the Sharks, I’d say he’s lucky to get the 57 points he was awarded. Still some very bone-headed play from him.
- Rene Ranger, Blues: Lived up to the the hype with two tries last week in another big point total for him. Ride the wave as the Blues still have some shoddy defensive teams on the schedule.
Flops
- Stephen Moore, Brumbies: I don’t doubt his class. But after 6 and 8 point performances in consecutive weeks, he’s just not pulling his fantasy weight. Perhaps the bye round will pep him up.
- Ryan Kankowski, Sharks: How inconsistent is this bloke? Or is he…. Look at his weekly point totals – 22, 61, 14, 33, -2, 26, 4. Pretty much every other is a good week with a stinker in between. Maybe he’ll lay the smack on the Reds. He’s due afterall…
- Alby Mathewson, Blues: Had a clanger for -2 points this week after some pretty good play up to the meeting with the ‘Tahs. I back him to recover. He’s shown enough to write that one off.
- Berrick Barnes, ‘Tahs: Hangers looks like gold next to Sook Face. A return of 1 measly point is just not cutting it.
Bargain Bin
- Jannie du Plessis, Sharks: Now that the Scrum Doctor is getting a starting role, he’s putting up the points. Might be worth a shot at $1.9.
- Callum Retallick, Chiefs: Nothing flashy here, but if he gets a start, he usually puts up a good score. Something to keep in mind.
- Ben McCalman, Force: One of the young bucks out west. Not much of a ball runner but his tackling stats are very good. And for a backrower somehow got credited with a tighthead win last week? Anyone know the story with that one?
