Lions Pride

Time of the week again for you to sort out your fantasy league team and Superbru picks if you haven’t done so already.  In fact, you are nearly too late with the first match at 08:35 this morning.

Bookies’ Handicaps:

Saders by 3 – 5
Reds by 7 – 8
Clan by 14 – 15
Brumbies by 5 – 7
Chiefs by 1 – 2
Sharks by 17 – 18
Blues by 8 – 10

Fri, 08 March:

Hurricanes v Crusaders: 08h35 SAST – Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Fantasy League players to consider:
Canes: Andre Taylor, Conrad Smith, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ben Franks
Saders: Robbie Fruean, Israel Dagg, Dan Carter, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Corey Flynn

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.

Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u/Ash Dixon, 17 Ben May, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo

Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Tom Marshall, 13. Robbie Fruean, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Johnny McNicholl, 10. Dan Carter,  9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read (c), 7. Matt Todd, 6. George Whitelock, 5. Dominic Bird, 4. Samuel Whitelock, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Wyatt Crockett

Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell , 17. Joe Moody, 18. Tom Donnelly, 9. Luke Whitelock, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tom Taylor, 22. Adam Whitelock

Rebels v Reds: 10h40 – AAMI Park, Melbourne

Fantasy League players to consider:
Rebels: James O’Connor (kicker), Ged Robinson
Reds: Dom Shipperley, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Liam Gill, James Slipper

Rebels: 15 Angus Roberts, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Alex Rokobaro, 10 James O’Connor (captain), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson

Substitutes: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordy Reid, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Tom English

Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Ed Quirk, 5 Ed O’Donoghue, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.

Reserves: 16 James Hanson, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Mike Harris, 22 Chris Feauai-Sautia

Sat, 09 March:

Highlanders v Cheetahs: 08h35 SAST – Rugby Park, Invercargill

Fantasy League players to consider:
The Clan: Ma’a Nonu,Hosea Gear, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Brad Thorn, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock
Cheetahs: Willie le Roux, Johann Sadie, Raymond Rhule, Johan Goosen, Piet van Zyl, Adriaan Strauss

Highlanders: 15. Ben Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Phil Burleigh, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear (vc), 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Jake Paringatai, 7. John Hardie, 6. Joe Wheeler, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Ma’afu Fia, 2. Andrew Hore (Captain), 1. Tony Woodcock

Reserves: 16. Brayden Mitchell, 17. Chris King, 18. Jarrad Hoeata, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Fumiaki Tanaka, 21. Colin Slade, 22. Shaun Treeby

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.

Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Rynhard Landman, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin.

Brumbies v Waratahs: 10h40 SAST – Canberra Stadium, Canberra

Fantasy League players to consider:
Tahs: Israel Folau, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Tatafu Polota-Nau
Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Christian Lealiifano, Clyde Rathbone, David Pocock, Stephen Moore

Waratahs: 15. Ben Volavola, 14. Israel Folau, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Tom Carter, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Brendan McKibbin, 8. Dave Dennis (c), 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Mitchell Chapman, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Sitaleki Timani, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16. Luke Holmes, 17. Paddy Ryan, 18. Greg Peterson, 19. Lopeti Timani, 20. Pat McCutcheon, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Lachie Turner.

Bumbies: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Clyde Rathbone, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Nic White, 8. Ben Mowen (c), 7. David Pocock, 6. Peter Kimlin, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Scott Fardy, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander

Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Fotu Auelua, 19. George Smith, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Joe Tomane

Stormers v Chiefs: 17h05 SAST – DHL Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

Fantasy League players to consider:
Stormers: Gio Aplon, Bryan Habana, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Andries Bekker
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Tim Nanai-Williams, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Pauliasi Manu

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Don Armand, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Patrick Osborne.

Kings v Sharks: 19h10 SAST – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Fantasy League players to consider:
Kings: Sergeal Petersen, Demetri Catrakilis
Sharks: JP Pietersen, Paul Jordaan,Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie,Marcell Coetzee, Franco van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira

Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Darron Nell (captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes

Sharks: 15. Louis Ludik, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Francois Steyn (captain), 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Anton Bresler, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Odwa Ndungane

Sun, 10 Mar:

Blues v Bulls: 05h05 SAST – Eden Park, Auckland

Fantasy League players to consider:
Blues: Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams
Bulls: Lionel Mapoe, Bjorn Basson, Mornè Steyn, Arno Botha, Mornè Mellett

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Peter Saili, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Baden Kerr, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Steve Luatua, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Kane Barrett, 5 Liaki Moli, 4 Ali Williams (captain), 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Tim Perry.

Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Ronald Raaymaker, 19 Brendon O’Connor, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Marty McKenzie, 22 Albert Nikoro.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellett.

Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Jürgen Visser.

With Super Rugby in full swing this weekend and the first match kicking of at 08:35 SAST you may want to get your Fantasy League team sorted out before going to sleep tonight.

As Week 1 only saw two Aussie derbies you can make up to 10 changes to your team this week, thereafter only 6 changes per week, with a total of 85 changes available through the competition.

Some tips:

1. Look for try-scorers, guys like Jesse Mogg (Brumbies), Bjorn Basson (Bulls), Raymond Ruhle (Cheetahs), etc.

2. Look for players who create tries, eg. Elton Jantjies (Stormers), Conrad Smith (Canes), James O’Connor (Rebels)

3. Look at goal kickers – Morne Steyn (Bulls), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), etc.

4. Look at players who don’t normally get subbed, eg. the official captains and other key players

5. Avoid players who are prone to be carded

If you haven’t join up yet join us at the Slogger Fantasy League:

http://www.udt.co.za/superrugby/restricted/MyLeagues.j

League code: 2185861126183

Team sheets:
All the team sheets for the weekend except that of the Force as they will only announce their team tomorrow.

Highlanders:

15. Ben Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Phil Burleigh, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear (c), 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. John Hardie, 6. Joe Wheeler, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Jarrad Hoeata (vc), 3. Ma’afu Fia, 2. Brayden Mitchell, 1. Tony Woodcock

Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Elliot Dixon, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Fumiaki Tanaka, 21. Hayden Parker, 22. Buxton Popoalii

Chiefs:

15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Charlie Ngatai, 22 Lelia Masaga.

Fri.22 Feb: Rebels v Brumbies – AAMI Park, Melbourne – Kickoff: SAST 10:40

Rebels:

15 James O’Connor, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Richard Kingi, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nic Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.

Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo Emile, 18 Cadeyrn Neville, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nick Stirzaker, 21 Alex Rokobaro, 22 Tom English.

Brumbies:

15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Joe Tomane, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Clyde Rathbone, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Nic White, 8. Ben Mowen (c), 7. David Pocock, 6. Peter Kimlin, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Scott Fardy, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander

Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Fotu Auelua, 19. Colby Faingaa, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Tevita Kuridrani

Fri.22 Feb: Bulls v Stormers – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kickoff: SAST 19:10

Bulls:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (c), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Mornè Mellett

Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouchè, Francois Venter

Stormers:

15. Jaco Taute, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jean de Villiers (captain), 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Don Armand, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gerhard van den Heever, 22. Joe Pietersen

Sat.23 Feb: Hurricanes v Blues – Westpac Stadium, Wellington – Kickoff: SAST 08:35

Hurricanes:

15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.

Blues:

15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai,  13 Rene Ranger, 12 Francis Saili, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (c), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tom McCartney.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Liaki Moli, 19 Brendon O’Connor, 20 Bryn Hall, 21 Baden Kerr,  22 Jackson Willison.

Sat.23 Feb: Reds v Waratahs – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kickoff: SAST 10:40

Reds:

15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Chris F’Sautia, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Ed Quirk, 5 Ed O’Donoghue, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper (capt), 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Nick Frisby, 21 Jono Lance, 22 Luke Morahan.

Waratahs:

15. Israel Folau, 14. Drew Mitchell, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Tom Carter, 11. Tom Kingston, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Brendan McKibbin, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Dave Dennis (c), 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Sitaleki Timani, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Jeremy Tilse.

Replacements: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Benn Robinson, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Mitchell Chapman, 20. Lopeti Timani, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Ben Volavola.

Sat.23 Feb: Cheetahs v Sharks – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein – Kickoff: SAST 17:05

Cheetahs:

15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Willie le Roux, 13. Johann Sadie, 12. Robert Ebersohn, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8. Philip van der Walt, 7. Lappies Labuschagne, 6. Frans Viljoen, 5. Francois Uys, 4. Lood de Jager, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Trevor Nyakane

Replacements: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18. Waltie Vermeulen, 19. Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21. Elgar Watts, 22. Ryno Benjamin

Sharks:

15. Louis Ludik 14. JP Pietersen 13. Paul Jordaan 12. Francois Steyn (captain) 11. Lwazi Mvovo 10. Patrick Lambie 9. Cobus Reinach 8. Ryan Kankowski 7. Marcell Coetzee 6. Jacques Botes 5. Franco van der Merwe 4. Anton Bresler 3. Jannie du Plessis 2. Craig Burden 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper 17. Wiehahn Herbst 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit 19. Jean Deyse20. Charl McLeod 21. Meyer Bosman 22. Odwa Ndungane

Sat.23 Feb: Kings v Force – Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth – Kickoff: SAST 19:10

Kings:

15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 5 Steven Sykes, 4 David Bulbring, 6 Cornell du Preez, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 Daniel Adongo, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Johan Herbst, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.

Force:

15 Will Tupou, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Alfie Mafi, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.

Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Chris Alcock, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Junior Rasolea.