Fantasy Rugby: Cruden opens door for Barrett to shine

Beauden Barrett is now the best fantasy first-five this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

First-five’s absence after boozy night is a disruption for owners

Aaron Cruden's boozy night out has opened the door for Beauden Barrett to star in round five of the Dream Team Rugby Championship.

Cruden, the most-owned first-five in our game, threw a spanner in the works for owners who now have to look elsewhere for value in that position over the rest of the competition.

Step up, Beauden Barrett ($110,200), who now looms as the best fantasy first-five play this weekend in a match-up with Argentina that could produce plenty of points for the All Blacks.

Barrett impressed with 32 points in his one previous start in the competition and owners can expect a similar performance on Sunday morning.

Outside of Barrett, your best bet at No10 is Wallabies first-five Bernard Foley ($128,200), who has averaged 55 points a game since replacing Kurtley Beale in the starting line-up.

The All Blacks are the side with the most notable team news this week.

Outside of Cruden's suds-soaked omission, Dane Coles and Ma'a Nonu are also notable absentees this weekend.

The injured Nonu is out for the remainder of the series, and Coles has flown back to New Zealand for the birth of his first child and will be replaced by Keven Mealamu ($57,600) as the starting hooker.

Mealamu is a poor pickup, so look instead to Argentina's Agustin Creevy ($78,000) as your best replacement in the front row.

Malakai Fekitoa ($99,900) is the replacement for Nonu at second-five and is a risk-reward play as he will be starting in an unfamiliar position.

Sam Whitelock ($110,600) looks ready to return to action and after being named to start at lock on Sunday morning, is a fine fantasy play.

Outside of the All Blacks, relevant team news is scarce.

Springboks halfback Ruan Pienaar is the most notable omission from the remaining three sides and his replacement, Francois Hougaard ($80,600), could be a sneaky play against an Australian side that has given up two big games to opposing half backs in the competition.

Australian hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau's run of injury continues, and he's again been ruled out of rugby for an extended period.

In other great match ups this weekend, look to Israel Folau ($219,500) to shine against the Springboks, and Cornal Hendricks ($117,200) and Eben Etzebeth ($125,500) to be solid against Australia.

The All Blacks' back rowers will be huge against the Pumas.

Remember to follow all your fantasy players' performances, as they happen, in our new live match centre feature within the Fantasy Rugby Championship game.

Listen to Radio Sport every week on a Thursday after 6pm to hear Dr Stats chat with D'Arcy Waldegrave about the latest fantasy news and advice.

Top pick
Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

Value pick
Marcell Coetzee, South Africa

On the bench
Aaron Cruden, NZ (out for rest of the series)
Dane Coles, NZ (out 1 week)
Ma'a Nonu, NZ (rest of series)
Ruan Pienaar, SA (rest of series)
Tatafu Polota-Nau, Aust (rest of series)