Fantasy Super Rugby: The Final Preview

Oft-overlooked Hurricanes fullback James Marshall is the form-pick for your captaincy in the final round of play. Photo / Getty Images.

It's come down to this. Two of the most exciting teams in the real and fantasy worlds will collide on Saturday night to decide not only the Super Rugby title but, more importantly, fantasy honours as well.

All season long the Hurricanes and Highlanders have provided us with fantasy stars.

Some, like Dane Coles, Julian Savea and Ben Smith have performed as advertised while the likes of Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ardie Savea have been make-or-break acquisitions for fantasy coaches.

With just this one fixture to play, our overall competition is still up in the air while most group winners will also be decided only after this round has come to a close.

This weekend it's all about embracing our Kiwi stars and backing who you think will step up in the final.

With just 30 players who can realistically help you to choose from, most coaches will field similar squads this round and your captaincy choice will be your crucial decision.

Naholo has been our Round MVP the past two weeks and, if his form continues, he's a strong bet to repeat once again on Saturday.

If history plays any part, Julian Savea could be your best; having averaged 51 points in the two times these teams have met this season. Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, James Marshall and Nehe Milner-Skudder have also all topped the 50-point barrier in those previous match-ups.

Indeed, going on current form, Marshall is actually your best bet for points this weekend and was huge last weekend from fullback with a 52-point haul. He's averaging 67.33 points over his last three appearances.

In team news that could sway your squad's make-up; Beauden Barrett certainly looked less than 100% last weekend and is a risk/reward addition at first five.

Ardia Savea will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness for the final and a strong bench option will be a must if you choose to roll with Savea in your starting XV.

Fellow Hurricanes star Milner-Skudder is also nursing a leg injury, though he played spectacularly through it for 46 minutes last weekend.

Finally, I'd like to say thank you to everyone for playing Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby this season. It's been a roller-coast ride and I wish you all the best for the final round.

Also, congratulations to Andrew Mulligan on taking out our Experts competition. He'll be celebrating with a lineup of 15 Hurricanes in his squad this round - and will likely still do better than most of us.

Our next fantasy rugby competition will be run coinciding with the upcoming World Cup - we hope to see you signed up and ready to compete once the opening match is underway and I'll be here once again with my best efforts in advising you.

Injury ward:
Ardie Savea, Hurricanes (in doubt to play)
Cory Jane, Hurricanes (out)
Nehe Milner-Skudder, Hurricanes (playing through injury)
Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes (playing through injury)

Top picks:
James Marshall, Hurricanes
Waisake Naholo, Highlanders
Julian Savea, Hurricanes
Ben Smith, Highlanders