Fantasy Super Rugby: Highlanders, Rebels providing value

Forsyth Barr Stadium offers the ideal setting for running rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Highlanders v Force indoors is shaping up as an all-attack outing.

Round five of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby offers up some juicy match-ups to exploit and send your team rocketing up the rankings.

Two fixtures this weekend stand out to me as ones ripe for the picking for fantasy points - the Highlanders take on the Force in Dunedin's all-weather, all-attack stadium while the Rebels face the Crusaders in Melbourne in what could be an unexpected treasure trove.

I love the idea of Forsyth Barr Stadium for Fantasy Super Rugby. It's covered, serene surrounds provide the perfect setting for running rugby and perfect kicking records.

This week the home side, who currently average the most fantasy points scored per game, face a Force team who concede the second-most points. And which team concedes more points than the Force? The Highlanders themselves.

Plainly put, this match is a recipe for fantasy success. Go ahead and make safe transfers for Highlanders like Ben Smith ($8,570,000), Malakai Fekitoa ($7,590,000), Chris King ($2,710,000) and Kane Hames ($2,190,000) or the Force's Matt Hodgson ($4,160,000), Ben McCalman ($4,110,000) and Luke Morahan ($7,590,000).

The next match-up full of potential sees the Rebels host the Crusaders and it's Rebels players in particular that I'm eyeing up for my squad.

The Rebels have started their fantasy season in hot form and face a Crusaders side that's giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing sides.

Scott Higginbotham ($5,120,000) is again one to target this week for your back row while winger Tom English ($7,590,000), who was a late scratch last weekend, is over his virus and poised to contribute.

On the Crusaders' side of the ledger, Matt Todd ($6,530,000) will be a force while Richie McCaw is sidelined and Sam Whitelock ($5,090,000) is an elite option for your second row.

Corey Flynn won't be an option for your squad for at least this weekend after fracturing an eye socket in round four.

The Hurricanes backline could also provide some sneaky points as they face a Cheetahs side that's given up big points to backs so far this year.

Conrad Smith ($8,030,000) and Julian Savea ($8,490,000) both make for strong plays.

In injury news of note, Sharks centre Paul Jordaan, the fifth highest-scoring back in the game, is out for four weeks with a knee injury while the Blues have lost Keven Mealamu for the rest of their South African tour.

Two players who may return to the field this weekend and who may make big contributions are Patrick Lambie and J.P Pietersen from the Sharks.

Lambie missed his side's win over the Lions last weekend but still sits among the points leaders at five-eighth while Pietersen was among our game's best fantasy backs last year.

Keep an eye on their team announcements and act accordingly if they're named to play.

Top pickups:
Matt Hodgson, Force.
Ben Smith, Highlanders.

Value pick:
Malakai Fakitoa, Highlanders.

Medical/bench alert:
Paul Jordaan, Sharks (out for 4 weeks)
Keven Mealamu, Blues (out 1-2 weeks)
Cory Jane, Hurricanes (out 1-2 weeks)
Corey Flynn, Crusaders (out at least 1 week)
Willie Heinz, Crusaders (out at least 1 week)
Robbie Fruean, Chiefs (named on the bench)