This year’s Rugby World Cup will feature a fantasy game designed to take rugby union fans to new heights.
More than 100,000 people have registered since the official fantasy game was released before the tournament started. While this number is dwarfed by the mass participation in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), other comparisons are more encouraging. At the height of his popularity, it is estimated that ESPN’s Six Nations games had between 100,000 and 200,000 unique users attending each round.
I’ll show you how it works and how to defeat your friends.
How to choose players
For official games of the tournament, teams of 15 will be formed, consisting of 2 props, 1 hooker, 2 locks, 3 backrowers, scrum-half, fly-half, 2 centres, and 3 outside backs. is given a budget of 100 credits.
Players are assigned different prices, with Finn Russell, Johnny Sexton, Richie Mo’unga and Matthew Jalibert being the most expensive at 13 credits each. The designated captain counts as a double in any round, and there are three of his “boosters”, including the “super kicker” and the “defense king”. Transfers are unlimited, but this is likely due to schedule adjustments and injury mitigation.
How to earn points
Fantasy game scoring systems use metrics like tackles, running meters, interceptions, lineout steals, offloads, and even line-break assists (basically passes that send teammates into space). Missed tackles, penalties and knock-ons are just three ways to lose points.
Stats Perform is a data provider, and more detailed information fuels the single biggest reason for fantasizing in the first place: legitimacy. Especially if you feel you’ve unearthed relatively unknown or untapped talent, your intuition is better than any tangible evidence of your superior knowledge when it’s backed up by performance on the pitch. , or what could be more smug?
The simplicity of FPL’s scoring is well-suited to soccer and will contribute to its significant growth, but the detailed points system for Rugby World Cup matches should also increase understanding and awareness. Gregory Aldritt (7.5 credits), for example, is not only a lineout target, but also a relentless carrier and jacker, but not only is a big name appreciated for skills that don’t attract attention, but he also impresses observers. will have an additional incentive to become proficient in the skill. Monitor emerging countries and monitor their players.
Join Telegraph Rugby’s Fantasy League
For those looking to improve their status as Telegraph writers, and judging by the comments on the recent Top 100 series, it may be an attractive proposition, set up a World Cup league with access code E3XYNW6O. did.
Let’s take back our knowledge…
…Because it’s more satisfying when it comes off. I was doubly happy with Cameron Rojgaard’s 100 points (7 credits) against Namibia. I knew the New Zealand rookie had been prolific for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby earlier this year. Leicester’s Faingaanuku (7 credits, 91 points), who left for Toulon after joining the Crusaders, is known for roaming off the wing and having a hunting touch, which proved useful.
Note the change in position
South Africa’s two scrumhalves, Kobus Reinach (8.5 credits) and Grant Williams (7.5 credits), each scored 89 points against Romania. Williams started on the wing, which would have benefited many. Another Springbok star, Kanan Moody (7.5 credits), is classified as a winger. However, his 25-point return was in jeopardy as he was at outside center against Romania. Special credit to those who selected Nicolas Martins of Portugal (3 credits). He started in the back row but is classified as a lock. The Os Lobos try scorer was also a standout lineout jumper on both sides of the ball, ultimately scoring 65 points in the second round, 25 points more than the other locks.
know your kicker
Just as penalty takers are valuable in FPL, placekickers can score points in this World Cup match. He doesn’t need to be the only designated kicker, so French fullback Tomas Ramos (9.5 credits) and Portuguese scrumhalf Samuel Marquez (4.5 credits) can fill in at flyhalf.
Various players can accumulate points
This is another lesson derived from the round ball game. In FPL, defender goals are worth more than midfielder goals, and midfielder goals are worth more than striker goals. With that in mind, players who are selected out of position, i.e. players who are classified as defenders but play in midfield, or who are midfielders who are pushed forward, can often bring unexpected goals. .
Ben Donaldson (8.5 credits), converted from fly-half to fullback by Eddie Jones and given goal-kicking duties for Australia ahead of Carter Gordon (9 credits, 25 points), was selected in the first round. He returned a huge score of 85 against Georgia. Only Bundy Aki (9.5 credits, 113 points) and Mark Telea (6.5 credits, 90 points) finished ahead of Donaldson.
Secondly, versatile players are often more likely to last 80 minutes because they can move around the pitch. Tadhg Beirne (8.5 credits, 52 points) completed his half-century with Ireland’s 12th and final try against Romania, and his second try of the match.
In Round 1, Kazuki Himeno (5 credits) was withdrawn due to injury news, and Jack Cornelson (4 credits), who was classified as a cut-price lock, was selected. Cornelson started as No. 8, and although he didn’t get many carries, his defense and lineout work led to 37 points.
Have the courage to stick to your beliefs
Discipline, discipline, discipline. Players can be replaced during the round as long as they are not yet on the field, reducing dropouts due to injury. That being said, there is also a temptation for the lazy thumb. The first weekend, I overthought the problem and made a late adjustment that resulted in me taking Ryan Elias (6 credits, 20 points) instead of Rob Herring (8 credits, 23 points).
Another change that worked for me was Garry Ringrose (9 credits, 56 points) nominated Waisea Nayakalev (7 credits, 38 points), but Keith Earls (7 credits, 12 points) and Caelan. -I chose Doris (7.5 credits, 20 points) not so much. Fruitful. I thought Earls was most likely to stick around for the entire Romania game, but fellow outside backs James Rowe (9 credits, 58 points), Hugo Keenan (8 credits, 62 points), and Also had his replacement, Mack Hansen (8 credits, 58 points). 42 points) all surpassed him. Similarly, Doris fell behind Peter O’Mahony (6.5 credits, 51 points) and benchman Josh van der Flier (7.5 credits, 24 points).
Tackle breaker and turnover master key
In addition to tries (15 points) and assists (9 points), turnovers (4 points), interceptions (5 points), lineout steals (5 points) and line breaks (7 points) were big winners. Losing defenders (2 points) can also add up, especially for players like Duan van der Merwe (9.5 credits) and Marc Teller (6.5 credits). When it comes to disruptors, Tadhg Beirne (8.5 credits) and Malcolm Marx (10 credits) are in the elite tier, with the Fiji pair of Sam Matabesi (7 credits) and Levani Botia (6 credits) on the cheaper side. Optional.
Choose Georgian
I’m sure the Georgia prop will be hired in droves. However, Leros’ backline has value. Their center and skipper, Merab Sharikadze, has racked up a dizzying number of tackles. Davit Niniashvili, the lithe, evasive runner who beat five defenders and kept three clean sheets against Scotland last month, is also well-suited for the odd breakdown turnover.
Both players will close the gap by seven credits and will be on the field for most of the group stage as Georgia looks to escape Pool C. Sharikadze recorded 23 tackles at Murrayfield. Leros tends to absorb pressure against more established teams, so he could become a shrewd “defensive king,” a booster who doubles his points with tackles, turnovers, and interceptions.
Stay on top of your selections
As is obvious, announcements from the team are made intensively and quickly. Unlimited transfers means he actually needs 15 players to play. Note that some players are likely to last closer to 80 minutes, such as England hooker Jamie George (10 credits) and most captains.
Use boosters boldly
In addition to the “Captain” chip, which doubles the selected player’s points, the game has three more boosters. “Triple Captain” does the obvious, “Defense King” doubles the points for tackles and turnovers, and “Super Kicker” increases the return of shots on goal. He can be used once during each pool stage before being respawned in the knockout rounds. There’s no point in leaving it behind, so tear it up.
Check the match list
In tense semi-finals, player actions count the same as in one-sided group games. We’re expecting a fascinating tournament punctuated by some upsets, but some scorelines will blow up.