Fantasy Super Rugby: Round Two Preview

Dan Carter's early-season injury could be a sign of things to come for Fantasy owners. Picture / Getty Images

If we can learn anything from the opening round of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby, it's that you don't need to spend big bucks to get the most out of your budget.

Names like Damian McKenzie, Jean Cook, Carl Wegner, Francois wan Vyk and Bryce Heem were all members of the perfect starting XV in Round 1 - and all came at discount prices.

It's very important you take notice of the above players over the next two rounds; as a major part of this game is identifying opportunities to increase the overall value of your team.

Once a player has appeared three times this season, their dollar value will fluctuate depending on their performances; and so with these opening rounds, we can safely predict those players whose value will jump the most.

While you could easily give up on someone like Damian McKenzie, who returns to bench duty now that Aaron Cruden is back in action, it would be an unwise move given that his value is almost certain to increase after round three's completion. You can then trade him in, using this extra value, for a player who you think will play a bigger part in the season going forward.

This is the key to these opening rounds - identify your crucial every-week players and use the rest of your budget and transfers to make money to buy more. The more every-week players you can end the season with, the higher up the rankings you will sit.

The other vital measure you have to take before round two commences, and before every round commences, is to check team news and line-ups.

The big news this week is that Dan Carter is expected to miss the Crusaders' clash with the Highlanders on Saturday night. While Carter is a popular player in our game, I would advise against his selection in your teams - not only is he injury-prone, he's also on the down-swing of his career and will be wrapped in cotton wool in this World Cup year.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have brought back their big guns to face the Brumbies on Friday night in what shapes as a huge early-season clash. Liam Messam and Cruden return to the starting XV while Brodie Retallick will start from the bench.

Cheap money is still a guarantee to be made from Bryce Heem and James Lowe, who retain their places in the backline.

Other major selection news sees Ma'a Nonu return to the Hurricanes run-on side as well as Bulls captain Pierre Spies while a number of injured players emerged from round one and are listed below.

The Blues and John Kirwan have seemingly bracketed the whole side in naming their team which creates a less than ideal fantasy situation. Stay away from bracketed players if possible.

As an aside, well done to the 24 people who are still in with a chance of winning $50,000 in our Super Rugby Streak game - if they can keep predicting only correct try-scorers for another 20 rounds of the Super Rugby season they'll be in to win the grand prize.

On the bench:
Reynold Lee-lo, Hurricanes (dropped)
Jeff Allen, Hurricanes (benched)
Ardie Savea, Hurricanes (benched)
Pekahou Cowan, Force (out 2 weeks)
Dane Haylett-Petty, Force (out 4 weeks)
Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Reds (out 6-8 weeks)
Werner Kruger, Bulls (out 6+ weeks)
Arno Botha, Bulls (out 2-3 weeks)
David Pocock, Brumbies (out indefinitely)
Lodewyk de Jager, Cheetahs (out 6-8 weeks)
Tendai Mtawarira, Sharks (out 2-3 weeks)
Dan Carter, Crusaders (out 1-2 weeks)
Ben Tameifuna, Chiefs (benched)
Damian McKenzie, Chiefs (benched)
Shane Christie, Highlanders (out 1-2 weeks)
Richard Buckman, Highlanders (out 3 weeks)
Nic Stirzaker, Rebels, (suspended 1 week)
Joe Moody, Crusaders (benched)
Dominic Bird, Crusaders (benched)
George Moala, Blues (out 2-3 weeks)
Schalk van der Merwe, Lions (benched)
Jaco Kriel, Lions (out 1-2 weeks)
Mouritz Botha, Sharks (out indefinitely)
Sibusiso Sithole, Sharks (out indefinitely)
Joe Moody, Crusaders (benched)
Tom Taylor, Crusaders (benched)
Jean Kleyn, Stormers (out 1-2 weeks)
Curtis Browning, Reds (benched)

Top pick:
Israel Folau, Waratahs

Cheap pickups:
James Lowe, Chiefs
Bryce Heem, Chiefs
Damian McKenzie, Chiefs
Dillyn Leyds, Stormers
Jean Cook, Cheetahs