The slimmed down round 16 will feature only the Aussie and Kiwi conferenced, which is going to hurt many fantasy coaches.
Irrelevant if you follow our structure (Rd 1 and 16 combined) or are playing out the round as if it were any other, you are likely on the look out for a few trades this week.
Due to the lack of players on offer this week, this article will solely focus on the men who will be more readily available for your taking, thats right, no blue chips this week!
RISING STOCKS:
Squire makes his return to the starting squad this week
Liam Squire (HIG) BACKROW - After returning from the bench last weekend, Squire moved back into the starting squad for the injured Lentjies. He has a solid showing for the first few rounds of the season and will be looking to prove why he has been selected for the ABs squad despite lack of game time.
He is averaging 33.8pts this season, however take away the game he was injured and that sharply increases to 43pts.
Izaia Perese (RED) OUTSIDE BACK - Pound for pound one of the hardest runners in Super Rugby, Perese has a brilliant showing in his return to the starting side against the Highlanders last week.
After a poor defensive read early, he steady his defence and impressed in attack. He ran 118m from 11 runs, bumped 6 defenders and through 4 offloads.
He will be disappointed that his lack of game time has hampered his Wallabies hopes for this season and will be looking to improve his defence against the barnstorming Naiyaravoro.
Paia'aua has been grasping his limited opportunities in 2018 with both hands
Duncan Paia'aua (RED) CENTRE - After a meteoric rise in 2017, Paia'aua has fallen to a second string centre for the Queensland Reds. With Chris Feauai-Sautia still absent from the team, the young centre is looking to grasp his opportunity to solidify himself back into a regular start spot.
His 35 point showing against the Highlanders last week was a good start, although Beale will be a whole different kettle of fish. He will be eyeing off 80 minutes against Australia's top inside centre with one thing on his mind, proving he deserves another crack at the Wallabies.
Ash Dixon (HIG) HOOKER - Dixon had a blinder last week! The man has clearly been itching for more time on the paddock and his made his presence felt all around the paddock.
With huge tackle figures and 100% Line Out success to date in 2018 and a chance to put young gun Riccitelli to the sword, expect to see nothing but a workhorse performance from the old dog.
Tamua Manu is our Smokey of the week
SMOKEY:
Tamua Manu (BLU) OUTSIDE BACK - 3 matches, 3 tries and a handful of tackle busts. Manu is a promising young winger and has shown brief glimpses of a really dynamic player in his two starts this season.
A continuation of his 39.5 point average over his first two starts would have him sitting as a solid 2nd tier outside back.
Plus he is a Kiwi winger, thats normally worth some fantasy points.
Written by Nelson Dale