Keep in mind also that the Reds are on the bye next week, followed by the Bulls, Cheetahs and Chiefs the following round. This means that someone like Liam Messam is expendable with just one appearance slated for the next three rounds.
Now the good news - with so many stars sidelined, opportunities are opened up for players to gain in value and help your team over the coming weeks.
Marty McKenzie, Chiefs, $50,000
The older McKenzie brother has been named at first five, as Cruden's replacement, for the Chiefs' encounter with the Western Force tonight. He comes at a bargain basement price and will gain your team some value if he plays three games with even below average performances. If he finds form then he could be a game-changer.
Willie du Plessis, Cheetahs, $50,000
Another cheapie first five eighth to consider. Unlike McKenzie, du Plessis will bring your team profit immediately after this weekend with even an average score. He's starting for the Cheetahs with Joe Pietersen shifted to fullback and could have good value if he holds his position while Willie le Roux is sidelined.
Richard Buckman, Highlanders, $104,200
Buckman averaged the same amount of fantasy points per game as Tim Nanai-Williams last season which means, with a starting berth this weekend, we could see some great short-term profit for savvy owners.
Boom Prinsloo, Cheetahs, $88,900
With Heinrich Brussow sidelined for most of last week's loss to the Reds, Prinsloo stood up to record 34 points and has brought some consistency to his game over the past four rounds after an inauspicious start to the season.
Remember to keep checking the NZ Herald rugby website as further teams are announced for the week to make sure your starting XV suffers no further injuries or selection blows.
Get the latest fantasy advice from Dr Stats Thursdays at 6.25pm on Radio Sport with D'Arcy Waldegrave.
On the bench:
Aaron Cruden, Chiefs (out for season)
Liam Messam, Chiefs (rested)
James Lowe, Chiefs (out 1-2 weeks)
Ben Tameifuna, Chiefs (benched)
Willie le Roux, Cheetahs (out 3-4 weeks)
Coenie van Wyk, Cheetahs (out 4 weeks)
Raymond Rhule, Cheetahs (out 1-3 weeks)
Heinrich Brussow, Cheetahs (out for season)
BG Uys, Cheetahs (out 3 weeks)
Coenie Oosthuizen, Cheetahs (out 1 week)
Kobus van Wyk, Stormers (out 6 weeks)
Jason Woodward, Hurricanes (out for season)
Rudy Paige, Bulls (out 2 weeks)
Jerome Kaino, Blues (rested)
Charles Piutau, Blues (rested)
Pita Ahki, Blues (out indefinitely)
Patrick Tuipulotu, Blues (out 2 weeks)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Blues, (benched)
James Parsons, Blues (dropped)
Angus Ta'avao, Blues (benched)
Jamison Gibson-Park, Blues (benched)
Josh Hohneck, Highlanders (benched)
Mark Reddish, Highlanders (out indefinitely)
Aaron Smith, Highlanders (rested)
Ben Smith, Highlanders (rested)
Malakai Fekitoa, Highlanders (rested)
Jason Emery, Highlanders (benched)
Dillyn Leyds, Stormers (out 1 week)
Louis Schreuder, Stormers (benched)
Nizaam Carr, Stormers (benched)
Burger Odendaal, Bulls (dropped)
Ben Funnell , Crusaders (benched)
Nepo Laulala, Crusaders (benched)
Andrew Ellis, Crusaders (benched)
Kieron Fonotia, Crusaders (benched)
Israel Dagg, Crusaders (out indefinitely)
Cory Jane, Hurricanes (benched)
Nehe Milner-Skudder, Hurricanes (out 1-2 weeks)
Mark Richards, Lions (dropped)
Julian Redelinghuys, Lions (benched)
Robbie Coetzee, Lions (benched)
Wycliff Palu, Waratahs (benched)
Pat McCutcheon, Waratahs (benched)
Tolu Latu, Waratahs (benched)
Curtis Browning, Reds (out indefinitely)
Karmichael Hunt, Reds (out indefinitely)
Ben Alexander, Brumbies (benched)
Rory Arnold, Brumbies (benched)
Sam Carter, Brumbies (rested)
Jarrad Butler, Brumbies (benched)
Nigel Ah Wong, Brumbies (benched)
Lausii Taliauli, Brumbies (dropped)
Luke Jones, Rebels (out 1-2 weeks)
Tom English, Rebels (dropped)
Sam Wykes, Force (out indefinitely)
Chris Alcock, Force (dropped)
Alby Mathewson, Force (out indefinitely)
Top pick:
Israel Folau, Waratahs
Cheap pickups:
Marty McKenzie, Chiefs
Willie du Plessis, Cheetahs
Sefanaia Naivalu, Rebels
Ma'a Nonu, Hurricanes
Rob Simmons, Reds
