Fantasy Super Rugby: Round Three Preview

Christian Lealiifano is one of many great fantasy options in the Brumbies backline this weekend. Photo /Getty Images

Round 2 of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby showed us all how important matchups are and how profitable the Waratahs squad could be for owners this season.

Despite an encouraging start to the season in real life, the Melbourne Rebels look to be a team to target for cheap points in fantasyland. Round 1 saw the Crusaders lose, but post above average fantasy scores while this past weekend saw the Waratahs absolutely cash in. Four of the top ten scorers in Round 2 were Waratahs players, while five featured in our team of the week.

While the Waratahs are on a bye this weekend, owners should do their best to retain their superstar players as they'll be a solid bet to perform well all season long. I'm talking about players like Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale. Huge winger Taqele Naiyaravoro ($67,300) is also a keeper as his price is set to soar after his 60-point effort over the weekend.

This coming round sees the Brumbies face the Rebels in Melbourne where, barring inclement weather, I expect their backline to light up like they did in Round 1.

As a result - Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Jo Tomane, Robbie Coleman and Nick White are just some players to target this weekend with Lealiifano ($71,700, 66pts) in particular looking like a great investment in 2015.

Other players who put their hands up over the weekend as sources of cheap cash were Handre Pollard ($68,300, 54pts), Stephen Hoiles ($62,600, 48pts) and Jessie Kriel ($53,500, 42pts).

As player values change for the first time after Round 3, those set for the biggest jump in value are Pollard, James Lowe ($70.500), Dillyn Leyds ($56,800) and Damien McKenzie ($50,000). If you own two or more of these players, you're bound to increase your squad's value and give yourself more options for trades as the season progresses.

In team news this week, there have been major changes to the Hurricanes squad which throws a spanner in Andrew Mulligan's 'Canes-heavy fantasy team. The biggest name missing is Conrad Smith while TJ Perenara and Jason Woodward have been benched among other changes.

Three prominent New Zealanders face time on the sidelines with suspensions - Crusaders and All Black prop Owen Franks is out for two weeks, Blues lock Hayden Triggs for one week while Highlanders prop Kane Hames has five weeks in the stands.

Blues stars Charlie Faumuina and Patrick Tuipoloto return to action after being rested the opening two rounds while Steven Luatua drops to the bench.

The Reds have been forced into making further changes to their squad following Karmichael Hunt's involvement in the cocaine scandal and a nasty hand injury to James Horwill. The main beneficiary and player to watch is James O'Connor, who will start at first five against the Highlanders.

Dan Carter is again out for the Crusaders as well as Israel Dagg who suffered a quad strain during last week's victory over the Highlanders.

The Chiefs welcome back All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Cane to the starting XV as well as Brodie Retallick who played limited minutes from the bench last week.

On the bench:
Conrad Smith, Hurricanes (rested)
Mark Abbott, Hurricanes (benched)
Brad Shields, Hurricanes (dropped)
Callum Gibbins, Hurricanes (benched)
TJ Perenara, Hurricanes (benched)
Jason Woodward, Hurricanes (dropped)
Lodewyk de Jager, Cheetahs (out 6-8 weeks)
Clayton Blommetjies, Cheetahs (dropped)
Tevita Koloamatangi, Chiefs (out 6 weeks)
Owen Franks, Crusaders (suspended 2 weeks)
Hayden Triggs, Blues (suspended 1 week)
Kane Hames, Highlanders (suspended 5 weeks)
Rynhardt Elstadt, Stormers (out for season)
Karmichael Hunt, Reds (out indefinitely)
Josh Hohneck, Highlanders (benched)
Lima Sopoaga, Highlanders (rested)
Liam Coltman, Highlanders (benched)
Joe Wheeler, Highlanders (benched)
Shaun Treeby, Highlanders (out 1-2 weeks)
Nick Frisby, Reds (benched)
Campbell Magnay, Reds (benched)
James Horwill, Reds (out 1-2 weeks)
Steven Luatua, Blues (benched)
Dan Bowden, Blues (out 1-3 weeks)
Angus Ta'avao, Blues (benched)
Ben Lam, Blues (dropped)
Francis Saili, Blues (benched)
Dan Carter, Crusaders (out 1-2 weeks)
Israel Dagg, Crusaders (out 1-2 weeks)
Luke Whitelock, Crusaders (benched)
Jamie Mackintosh, Chiefs (dropped)
Maama Vaipulu, Chiefs (out indefinitely)
Brad Weber, Chiefs (benched)
Hosea Gear, Chiefs (dropped)
Seta Tamanivalu, Chiefs (benched)
Scarra Ntubeni, Stormers (benched)
Piet van Zyl, Bulls (dropped)
Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Bulls (out 1-2 weeks)

Top Pick:
Tevita Kuridrani, Brumbies

Cheap pickups:
Christian Lealiifano, Brumbies
Handre Pollard, Blues
Jessie Kriel, Bulls