The What-a-Lad League: Round 8 Review
Bye-mageddon Survival: The Rich get richer, and the Crusaders’ Revival
Round 8 was the ultimate test of roster management. With five teams on a bye, the What-a-Lad League transformed into a survival-of-the-fittest battle. Managers were forced to dig deep into their benches and the trade window, leading to some of the lowest-scoring, yet most consequential, matchups of the season so far.
This week, we got to see who had been planning ahead and who was left with their fantasy pants down. The top 4 all bagged wins, with a clear buffer now starting to separate the Test Match animals from the Midweek battlers.
To see how the Super Rugby experts play the game (James & Tom Marshall, Johnny McNicholl, just to name a few), navigate to the leagues menu and select the “What A Lad” League, or click HERE.
Round 8 Matchup Reviews
Qmix02’s Team vs. What a Lad
Result: 332 - 427
What a Lad (James Marshall) managed to navigate the bye-week chaos to secure a crucial victory by stacking his side with his own Crusaders players. The hero of the hour was undoubtedly Leicester Fainga’anuku, who put on a clinical display for 120 points. With Sevu Reece (75) also firing, the Crusaders’ blowout win over the Drua was the primary engine for this victory. Interestingly, even James didn’t see the Noah Hotham late withdrawal coming, with him going scoreless in his starting side.
Qmix02 (Quentin MacDonald’s Team) will be kicking themselves. Despite an anchoring 104 from Codie Taylor, and a solid 50 from Joey Walton, fielding 8 men just wasn’t enough to mount a serious contest against one of the league favourites.
Onit26’s Team vs. Jmacsmen’s
Result: 199 - 322
In what was effectively a “ghost-town” matchup, jmacsmen (Johnny McNicholl) did just enough to claim the points. Samisoni Taukei’aho (70) was the difference-maker, providing the only real scoring punch in a lineup riddled with “zeros” due to the byes.
Onit26’s Team (Nemani Nadolo) struggled immensely, becoming the first team this season to fail to break the 200-point barrier with only 6 active players. While Haereiti Hetet (59) fought hard, the lack of a fly-half and multiple missing backs made this an impossible mountain to climb. Sitting just outside the top 4, it’ll be interesting to see if he can break into the top echelon before the season gets away from him.
Rams nation vs. Tojos Troops
Result: 247 - 305
Tojos Troops (Tom Marshall) secured a gritty win in a low-scoring affair. Pete Samu (56) was the standout, proving his value as a consistent worker even when the flashier backs are on holiday. This win keeps him firmly in the top four and within striking distance of the leaders.
Rams nation (Self-titled “Stats Man”) actually had a few decent performers with Tupou Vaa’i (51) and Antonio Shalfoon (53), but a catastrophic -7 from Jock Campbell and a sea of missing Hurricanes and Brumbies players halted his momentum. If you’re going to call yourself 'Stats Man,' you’d better hope those stats aren’t binary. He’ll be scrolling through enough zeros this week to rewrite the Matrix.
Searleytalkssport’s Team vs. Jakeabernethy14’s Team
Result: 181 - 340
The juggernaut rolls on. Jakeabernethy14’s Team (Jake - the What A Lad editor) moves to an incredible 7-1 record, remaining the only undefeated side in the league. Quinn Tupaea (66) and Samipeni Finau (67) led a Chiefs-heavy charge that capitalized on the few matches available, editing out the hopes of yet another Draft fantasy rival.
Searleytalkssport’s Team (Ben Searle from Searley Talks Sport) remains rooted to the bottom of the table at 0-8. Elia Canakaivata (77) was a bright spot, but with only five other players registering scores in their starting XV, the “Wooden Spoon” is looking more certain by the week. We all know Searley’s a League man at heart, but at 0-8, Searley is showing the kind of loyalty to the bottom of the ladder that only a true Wahs fan could sustain. He’s going to need a miracle, or at least a full starting lineup, to climb out of the basement from here.
Marshall V Marshall - Rd 7 Throwback
Most importantly, this blog can’t leave out that Tom got the ‘W’ and family bragging rights over his older brother James in the round 7 grudge match. The upset cost the What A Lad Commissioner the top spot in the league.
Round 8 Fantasy Facts
Round MVP: Leicester Fainga’anuku (120 points) – What a Lad.
Best Free Agent: Franco Molina (122 points) - Western Force.
Super Sub: Codie Taylor (104 points) - Qmix02’s Team - Leave it to a former Crusaders Hooker to bench the current one, only for him to still deliver.
The Bench Nightmare: Jmacsmen's started Rivez Reihana (-2), leaving Taha Kemara (32 points) on the bench despite literally being in the room (we assume) when their team was announced midweek.
The Table:
Written by Harrison Dale