Before the information gets convoluted by the finals, I thought I would take a look at the overall Foxsports fantasy team and see if it would be the team of the tournament I would choose.
For those not in the know, this a site where you basically pick a team of players on a week to week basis and receive points for good things they do like linebreaks, scoring and setting up tries, kicks, while also losing points for things like missed tackles and penalties.
So here is the overall dream team choices based on top ranking.
From this I have pulled a starting 15:
Prop:
Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 313
Ben Franks (Saders) 201
Brok Harris (Stormers) 193
Easy choices with Ben A at LH and Ben F at TH. Brok gets to rid the pine.
Hooker:
Ti’i Paulo (Saders) 361
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Tahs) 350
Jason Rutledge (Highlanders) 333
Ti’i has made a late burst but I am going to stick with Tatafu as my staring rake. Controversially, I am going to put the Highlanders man on the bench.
Locks:
Andries Bekker (Stormers) 385
Nathan Sharpe (Force) 272
Dean Mumm (Tahs) 258
Michael Paterson (Canes) 247
To be fair, Francois Louw was also in the list, but I have omitted him as he is playing in the backrow. So onto the locks: Bekker is probably the standout forward of the competition. Sharpe might be rated higher, but I would prefer someone with Mumm or Patersons workrate. Paterson starts, with Mumm from the bench covering lock and looseforward.
Backrow:
Rocky Elsom (Brumbies) 368
Adam Thompson (Highlanders) 346
Liam Messam (Chiefs) 335
Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies) 332
Pierre Spies (Bulls) 322
Kieran Read (Saders) 290
Probably the hardest combination to pick given a lot of the top players are in the same position. Rocky definitely gets the blind, Thompson to the openside, which leaves 8. I’m going to go for Spies, as he does have a lot fox factor with the tyro Read to the bench.
Scrumhalf:
Will Genia (Reds) 397
Alby Mathewson (Blues) 252
No question on the starter, so Alby gets the bench spot.
Inside Backs:
Quade Cooper (Reds) 528
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 413
Digby Ioane (Reds) 357
James O’Connor (Force) 311
Wynand Olivier (Bulls) 304
Daniel Carter (Saders) 303
The Reds combination has been superb all season and is the starting combination for my team. Morne misses out completely, with Olivier as a specialist inside centre in and Ioane outside of him. Dan Carter covers both inside and flyhalf from the bench.
Outside Backs:
Drew Mitchell (Tahs) 385
Rene Ranger (Blues) 381
Joe Rokocoko (Blues) 372
Israel Dagg (Highlanders) 355
Rudi Wulf (Blues) 295
Cory Jane (Canes) 289
More tough choices between the Blues’ explosive runners and more composed players like Jane and Mitchell. One thing is for certain: Dagg is at 15. For my money, Mitchell gets right wing, and despite Rangers’ raw talent, I think the more complete Joe has convinced me is back to optimum levels and gets the left. Covering wing and fullback is Cory Jane
So the line-up is as follows:
1. Ben Alexander
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Ben Franks
4. Michael Paterson
5. Andries Bekker
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Adam Thompson
8. Pierre Spies
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Joe Rokocoko
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Digby Ioane
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Israel Dagg
16. Brok Harris
17. Jason Rutledge
18. Dean Mumm
19. Kieran Read
20. Alby Mathewson
21. Dan Carter
22. Cory Jane
Perhaps not the most explosive team it could be, but it has more composure, with some flexibility chucked in.
Buddha
Guest
Crap! I forgot McCaw. I'll drop Sharpe.
Buddha
Guest
1. Ben Alexander 2. Brok Harris 3. Ben Franks 4. Rocky Elsom 5. Andries Bekker 6. Nathan Sharpe 7. Adam Thomson 8. Pierre Spies 9. Will Genia 10. Quade Cooper 11. Drew Mitchell 12. Wynand Oliver 13. Digby Ioane 14. Joe Rococoko 15. Israel Dagg Brok Harris Tatafu Polota-Nau Dean Mumm Kiaran Read Alby Mathewson (Why isn't he in for new zealand. better than Piri Weepu or whattever Daniel Carter (just) Peter Hynes If the fantasy super 14 was still out it would be a better team
Calexico
Guest
Except that the commentators have nothing to do with the allocation of points.
altus
Guest
Christ 9 Aussies in the team. Again the Foxsport commentators the most biased in the world. Good for a laugh anyway.
Jerry
Guest
Paterson's played a fair bit of 6 this year so you should probably compare his stats against other loosies. Hoy - MIls is injured, but Cory Jane will be fullback ahead of Dagg. He's better at everything except kicking goals anyway. Ranger is too green and too greedy to be an international centre just yet. They might try him on the wing, but even that might be too early.
Brett McKay
Expert
Decent team Rusty, you'd be happy to watch that outfit every week...
Apelu Tielu
Guest
Me too. Took a lot of my time with little reward.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I used to be terrible at picking the fantasy teams. I had to give it away. I find it interesting that McCaw is not ranked with the backrow. I find it interesting that the FoxSports mob have put Digby as an inside back, and playing as an outside back, he ranks highly amongst them. I find it interesting that the lineout magician Matfield doesn't rate in the row. The reds halves are head and shoulders above the competition. Few thoughts: Will Rene Ranger be a All Black this year? He has scored some great tries, has good power and speed. Will Dagg beat Muliaina for fullback? You would probably say not yet. Probably have a few more thoughts, but I have to head off and think about them. Not a bad team.