Fantasy Super Rugby: Lions' roar changes plans

The Blues' backs - including Charles Piutau - are looking likely as a new Super Rugby season starts. Photo / Natalie Slade

Force, Highlanders now looking like the best source of cheap Fantasy points.

The first round of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby has come and gone. It was an abbreviated round, with only two South African fixtures, but we can learn a lot about this year's competition from them.

The big lesson from opening week: the Lions are no whipping boys.

Defying predictions far and wide of struggle and adversity, they beat the Cheetahs, a team that played finals footy last year.

We can now put plans for spot-starting players against the Lions each week on hold and look instead to the Force and Highlanders to be cheap providers of points.

Which takes us to the round ahead and some possible match-ups to exploit involving those sides.

If you have any free transfers this week, follow my lead and load up on Blues and Waratahs backs. The indoor setting and running style of the Blues suits them perfectly, and they're loaded with potential fantasy stars - just check the team lists before pulling the trigger.

The Waratahs, as well, have an impressive backline which should rack up the metres against the Force.

Which brings me to my next point: the value of metres gained. Already this year we can see this statistic is going to provide a lot of points for players as they earn two points for every 10m gained. It may be an idea to target backs that are prone to long breakaways.

Here's my player advice for Round Two - remember to use your transfers wisely and always watch out for injuries and unexpected team announcements, as they could make or break your season.

Top picks:

• Israel Folau, Waratahs

• Frank Halai, Blues

Value pick:

• Francis Saiili, Blues

Medical alert:

• Christian Lealiifano - currently fourth most-owned five eighth (out till mid-March)

• Dan Carter - currently fifth most-owned five eighth (out till June)

• Sam Cane - currently fourth most-owned back rower (out till early march)