THE STOCK MARKET RD 7
The smartest Fantasy Rugby buys and sells are all right here. Need to dominate your mates in Fantasy Footy? Then set this site as your homepage (Seriously do it!) because i've got what you need!
Blue Chips – Buy! Buy! Buy!
Lionel Cronjé (Kings) - Tough to find a smokey blue chip this week with not many new players putting their hands up as long term options. But have you ever considered owning a Kings player? It seems crazy I know, but this halfback playing at flyhalf has the fourth highest average on the back of a couple of big games and one look at their draw for the next few rounds makes him a quality pick. The Kings now play the Force, Reds, Waratahs and Rebels, everyone knows the Aussies are absolutely leaking points right now, so we may see some cricket scores that Lionel can capitalise on.
Matt Philip (Force) - After the injury to Adam Coleman in week 1, Philips has now played four 80 minute games in a row, and what a massive impression he has made. To me he is Australia's form lock, and surely he has done enough to hold his spot over Richie Arnold once Coleman comes back (most likely in Rd 9 after their bye). Scores of 45, 28, 26 and 56 with only one try shows he can consistently score at least in the high 20s. He averages 8.25 runs per game, 1.25 offloads, 7 tackles and 4.25 lineout takes showing he can score in a number of ways. There is potential upside for him as well, as a young player getting comfortable in Super Rugby you'd expect his errors to improve which will only bump his value up even higher.
SBW (Blues) - Earlier this week Tana Umaga said Sonny Bill Williams could be back as early as this week, but most likely in the next couple of weeks. This guy is a points machine, if he is still a free agent in your league, find a way to hold him until he makes his comeback before someone else does. Worth considering how his comeback could effect George Moala and Reiko Ioane as well.
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Hold – Watch this space
Jake Gordon (Waratahs) - Scored his second try of the season and his most points (48) last week. The presence of Phipps looming on the bench may have kept Gordon as a free agent so far this season but that won't last much longer. The NRC young gun has a great running game and has a knack for sniffing out tries. On current form he should start for the Tahs for plenty more weeks to come. If you're looking for a half back and the kiwi's have all been snapped up, then Jake is your man.
Busts – Avoid these before the market crashes and sell!
George Bridge (Crusaders) - This might sound harsh considering he has just had his best game of the year (70pts) but it may well be his last big week. The Crusaders have a bye this week and then with the likely return of both Seta Tamanivalu and Jack Goodhue, he will probably have to warm the bench for the majority of the season. I get the feeling that Digby will be the preferred winger other than Tamanivalu so it's time to let this young gun go.
Michael Leitch (Chiefs) - This is probably one of the hardest busts for me. I've loved watching Leitch play for Japan, and then held him through 2015 when he averaged 30pts a game. But those days are done. In 2015 his average dropped to 24, and this year it has dropped further to only 17.3, gone are the barnstorming runs and offloads, this years Leitch loves the argy bargy tough stuff that coaches love to see, but fantasy coaches dread. The flashy ball runner has been replaced by what we all hate, a team man.
If you missed it check out our Rd 6 review SP Marais's 105 Point Wizardry and our up to date injury list at The Casualty Ward.
See you next week for more on the Stock Market. Good luck for Round 7!
Written by Harrison Dale