Season 7 Homepage 2

First topic message reminder :

Breaking News: Saints continue to set the pace with win at defending champions while the Chiefs remain unbeaten after toppling the Tigers 
 

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Welcome to Season 7 of the Aviva Premiership fantasy rugby game.  Below are the rules of the game which must be adhered to.  If there are any situations that arise in the course of the game which are not covered by the rules, a final decision will be made by the RFU (SJE) as to how the situation will be resolved.
 
 

Senior Squads wrote:
The maximum squad size is 40 senior players.  If a team has more than 40 players in their squad then they will be fined £1 million per player over the permitted amounts per day for the first seven days. If after 7 consecutive days a team still has more than the permitted number of players then the team will be fined £2 million per player per day, and fined 1 league point per player per day for the next seven days. If after this time a team still has more than the permitted number of players in their squad, the RFU (SJE) will remove players at its discretion to bring them back under the permitted numbers. There will be no right of appeal to players being removed.

Be aware that all tier one international matches which are played during the season will count in the game, and players selected in the match day 23's for those matches will not be eligible to play for their clubs on that weekend, therefore you must give due consideration to the make-up of your squad.

Academy Rules wrote:
Each team will be allowed to have an academy squad of 20 players.  Players who are in the academy must be born on or after 1st September 1992. 

Any player, who is at any Premiership club in real life, either in their senior, academy or AASE squads, can be bid for on the domestic bidding page. Players who are at your own club in real life and are coming through the academy system must be bid for if you want them in your own academy.

Transfers wrote:

• Domestic (other AP Teams)
  Each team has a budget to use in the purchase of players. Domestic transfers between AP clubs, regardless of nationality of player, should be negotiated between the respective managers, and then confirmed on the Domestic Transfer Confirmation Page.
  
• Domestic (Championship and below)
  Each team may during the season purchase no more than 5 players from the Championship or the National Leagues. These players must be bid for on the National League Bidding page, and each bid will be considered by me on its own merits before being accepted or rejected.  No bid will be accepted until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed from the time the bid was made, in order to afford other managers the opportunity to make a counter bid.
  
• Foreign
  To make a foreign transfer (i.e. from any club outside of the AP, regardless of whether the player is English) a bid should be made on the Foreign Transfers Page, which will be considered by me against the posted guidelines for purchase prices before being accepted or rejected. No bid will be accepted until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed from the time the bid was made, in order to afford other managers the opportunity to make a counter bid.
  
  There will be a summer foreign transfer window, which will run as follows.
  
  Open Window
  
  Open transfer window, teams have unlimited bids provided they have the financial resources to cover them.  Teams may only bid for one player at a time.
  
  The window will open from the 9th of June but only to those sides that finish 8th and below at first. They will have a week to make one signing each before the window is open to all.     
  

Player Releases wrote: 
Managers may choose to release players from their clubs, for which they will be offered compensation

Compensation will be paid as follows

£2 million – current international (must have played international rugby in the previous 12 months)
£1.5 million – former international
£1m – top flight experience
£0.5m – other

All released players will be deemed to have joined a Championship side and can be bid for on the National League Bidding page.

Retirements wrote:
There will be no compensation for retiring players.  Should a player who retires decide to come out of retirement and play again, then he will automatically go back to the club who he was playing for in the game when he retired.

Fixtures wrote:
There will be 22 Aviva Premiership games per season, plus the play offs. There will also be European Rugby Champions Cup, European Rugby Challenge Cup and Anglo Welsh Cup matches.  These games will take place once a week. A match thread will be put up every Monday. Home teams must be named by midnight on Tuesday. Away teams must be named by midnight on Wednesday. Failure to meet these deadlines is punishable by the addition of three match points to the oppositions final score, unless both sides fail to do so. Both teams must provide tactics by midnight on Thursday. Predictions will be open from 00:01 hours on Friday and remain open until 15:00 hours on Sunday. Managers will post the scores that they think will happen from these games (apart from games in which they are involved).  An average of all predictions will be taken, and then 0.5 points added to each teams score for each prediction that had them as the winner, and that will then be the final score.

Managers are asked to provide detail as to why they have predicted a result.  To be considered a descriptive prediction this must be a full 3 lines long when entered into the text box. 

Teams wrote:
When naming your team, not only should you put the starting XV and replacements, but also tactics that your team will employ. Results will be affected by the tactics described.

In addition, each team must have the following:-

For domestic competition at least 8 England qualified players in your match day 23, and at least 4 of those must be in your starting XV.

For European competition at least 8 England qualified players in your match day 23, and at least 6 of those must be in your starting XV.

At least 2 props and 1 hooker on the bench.

All players must be eligible (not injured or banned).

Failure to comply with these rules will result in a 1 league point deduction.

If you fail to submit a team for a match, then the other team will be automatically awarded a 30-0 bonus point win. If both teams fail to submit a team, then it will be scored as a 0-0 draw.

Injuries and Suspensions wrote:
Injuries in this game do NOT reflect real life, they will be generated by me.

Players banned in real life will be ineligible for selection in this game for the duration of the ban.

Inclusion of injured/banned players will result in them being replaced by players on the bench, and the bench not having eight players, which may result in punishment if it concerns the front-row.

Punishment for fielding an ineligible player will be loss of one match point.

Financial Rewards wrote:
There will be no rewards for the result of an individual match, instead the managers will receive cash for predicting.

£2m for descriptive predictions 
£0.25m for scores on the doors predictions
If you fail to predict without first advising me that you are unable to do so that week, you will be fined £1m for a first offence, £2m for a second offence, £3m for a third offence etc upto a maximum of £5m per fine.

AP finishing positions.

Champions: 8m
Runners Up: 6m
Playoff Semi Finalist Losers: 5m
5th: 4m
6th: 3.5m
7th: 3m
8th: 2.5m
9th: 2m
10th: 1.5m
11th: 1m
12th: 0.5m

Heineken Cup

Losing Quarter Finalists - £2 million each
Losing Semi Finalists - £3 million each
Runners Up - £4 million
Champions - £5 million

Amlin Challenge Cup

Losing Quarter Finalists - £1 million each
Losing Semi Finalists - £2 million each
Runners Up - £3 million
Champions - £4 million

Anglo-Welsh Cup

Losing Semi Finalist - £1 million each
Runners Up - £2 million
Champions - £3 million


If your budgets falls below minus £10 million for any reason, the administrators (SJE) will step in and players from within your squad will be released for the relevant financial compensation (foreign transfer value) in order to bring your budget back above minus £10 million.

ChequeredJersey wrote:I think AAC is better at 13, indeed exceptional at 13, but wouldn't start him on the wing.

Agree CJ, easily the best option at 13

anonmattyt wrote:You can see mckenzies point really in that Beale and AAC were outstanding towards end of season and that toomua is a playmaker and will play that second playmaker role. Kurindrani and foley were exceptional against France but in a crunch match he has gone for experience and form.

Not saying I agree with it but it's not without logic.


" "Bernard hasn't put a foot wrong since we chose him in June, but Kurtley has really stepped up his game over the past few months and he's consistently been one of the Waratahs best players every week," he said.

"He'll bring some additional x-factor to our game. We feel that will suit our two-playmaker framework and ensure we have the right balance in those positions along with Matt Toomua.

"Kurtley's also an experienced guy who has played 42 Tests, so he will enjoy the added responsibility of wearing the number 10 jersey.

"He's got a proven track record at the position at a provincial and Test level, and he has been involved in a number of important wins at fly-half for Australia over the years.

"Shifting Adam from the wing to the centres has been for much the same reason - he's been in outstanding form for the Waratahs and was a real point of difference for them at the back-end of the Super Rugby season."

A bit like England if this is their team they need to stick with it for a year to bed in and stand best chance of wc. England AI side needs to pretty much be there WC side barring complete loss of form

Sarries players available.

After a top NH TH for JdP/Franks.


HK Guilhem Guirado (France)
PR Max Lahiff (England)
PR Jannie Du Plessis (South Africa)
PR Owen Franks (New Zealand)
PR Clement Ric (France)
LK Julian Pierre (France)
LK Victor Matfield (South Africa)
LK Flip Van Der Merwe (South Africa)
LK Patricio Albacete (Argentina)
LK Louis Deacon (England)
FL Dave Denton (Scotland)
FL Heinrich Brussow (South Africa)
FL Brad Shields (New Zealand)
N8 Johnnie Beattie (Scotland)
FH Morne Steyn (South Africa)
CE Tom Taylor (New Zealand)
CE Maxime Mermoz (France)
CE George Lowe (England)
FB Lee Byrne (Wales)

Some interesting decisions. Dagg not in ab 23. Pollard in front of morne. De jäger over etzbeth.

Etzebeth is only just coming back so not really surprised with that one. Pollard over Steyn is interesting, he'll need to pick up his level against tough opposition this 4N.

Dagg is another who either starts or doesn't make the 23. Smith was outstanding against us and in unreal form, it's good he's getting a run.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Etzebeth is only just coming back so not really surprised with that one. Pollard over Steyn is interesting, he'll need to pick up his level against tough opposition this 4N.

Dagg is another who either starts or doesn't make the 23. Smith was outstanding against us and in unreal form, it's good he's getting a run.

On form smith gets the shirt also Dagg been carrying injuries and only recently getting form back but been picking up niggles.

Would say Dagg undisputed number 1 but under serious pressure from smith due to his exceptional form. Pollard has great from steyn not so not a controversial one. If they were playing AB or Aus reckon steyn would have started. They want pollard to get experience and vs Argentina is the way. Also he can ignite backs in way steyn can't so with goosen excluded
They want a look. Assume steyn still first choice. Unlike us SH not
Afraid of experimenting in RC. There end goal is wc so will try combos and options.


Would have been amazed if etzbeth started after 20
Minutes in a year. Expect him game 3 or 4. Personally would have not picked him for rc

Form not from re pollard vs steyn

Still loving  loving how I played against smith when he played glos 1 rugby which is a low standard and he was over for a crack and never considering being a pro despite being 20 odd.

Biggest turnaround ever in a player

Pienaar at 9 will hinder boks and pollard if they want to play open. Like pienaar if you play kicking slow game but to play open it's same as parra yachvili Etc. They base game around themselves.

In all honesty reckon this style would work for England but with le roux de villiers Hendricks habana Allende pollard etc pienaar a bad choice:


That said if you had reinach and pollard you would have zero half back experience

Been away for a time
Hence multi posts. Away 4-5 days a week so posts will be sporadic

Parra on form can play an open game. Pienaar hasn't shown it at int level yet. Parra's greatest gift was that he could kick, snipe and rule his pack. Nasty little bastard though, on the pitch

Can't believe Smith was ever in Glous 1 league!


Pichot is my benchmark for a 9, maybe not the most skilful (but up there) but boy did he control his pack and raise the men around him

I'm on a 9 day long work week from tomorrow till next Friday, hopefully can get some posts in some evenings but will be back late a lot too so sorry if I'm a tad absent

Smith was coach of colstons school (top school produced lots of England players) he played 10 for old colstonians maybe even glos 2 he played 10 mainly and was impossible as a backrower. He left mid season and they lost ever game.

Was obviously devastating. Not seen parra play open for long time. Had ability to when FTD played. Always been a big FTD fan. He really challenges defences and makes 9 job easier

Pollard struggles to ignite backs imo, his passing and desicion making are poor. Agree he needs bedding in though as SA need more than just Steyn at 10 and nobody else is coming through.

What do SA do to their 10s?! So much talent not long ago and it's all faded

2010-2011/12 parra was magical and ignited teams. Love how fiery he is a 9 needs it.

Think he needs a good ten to get him back to form. Takes on too much himself and kicks too much.

Pollard an utter play maker look how many tries his teams score when he plays. Also defensively another Wilko. He is a huge hitter and a lump when carrying. A great kicker but ball in hand kicking needs experience ie when to kick and when not. It comes with experience and he is decent at it but not at Steyns level

Lambie never kicked on and Goosen was never good enough, he has very little tactical awareness and got found out.

Pollard could develop but agree he needs time and to be bedded in.

Pollard is very limited but young. Passing is poor but he has a big boot although often aimless. Good defence though, he's a bit like Farrell at that age.

ChequeredJersey wrote:What do SA do to their 10s?! So much talent not long ago and it's all faded

Goosen and injury mare.looked amazing at int level and had good return then signed for racing so excluded.

Who else showed promise ? Lambie similar injury issues and shunted around position wise. Both him and goosen serious talents 

Prob in SA is kicking is everything although changing these days. Their main problem is 9. FDP pienaar reinach and then ??????

Goosen never looked amazing at Int. He had about one good game (I think Arg) and one game off bench. He has zero tactical game or management which just got found out. He was awful this year.

Both lambie and goosen still young 

Goosen was first choice at 20
For boks which is unreal as 10 such a crucial position. Lambie played
There a similar age. 

Bad luck and steyn is a decent 10 also and very rarely injured

Meyer's slating of Goosen says it all. He's just not got the game yet for an Int 10

http://m.sarugbymag.co.za/index.php?postslug=&slug=blog/details/why-bok-trio-were-axed#pollard-selection-a-shrewd-call

Which Meyer slating ? Link ?


Night night

I immediately regret bringing this up

I posted it when he said it.

He said Goosen was tactically naive and unable to play poor conditions. Said he'd need to improve to get on Bok set up.

Night Matt.

Nothing wrong with a good debate CJ! All opinions, nobody is more right

Pooly it was mallet you posted either way it does not matter. My opinion differs to you. End of 


What SA,NZ and Australia(less so) have is a settled backline or experience to allow introduction of players 

When England were strong 1999-2003 they could introduce a player into a settled set up and allow them the best chance to succeed.

Aus on Saturday will have over 150 caps 10-13

Pollard will be in with pienaar and devilliers 

AB backline experience all over and settled


England have Care brown tuilagi( which position ) after that who knows. Farrell nailed on for me I am a fan but it shows difference

It was Meyer

It was it this 
http://m.news24.com/sport24/Rugby/Super15/Mallett-has-doubts-about-Goosen-20140526

Everyone knows you never miss posting a link re my players so your silence re the Meyer comments speaks volumes 

If you post it i will say fair play..... However i reckon I am safe

I posted it when it happened, I was really surprised a national coach came out with such a statement.

No need to get so worked up, it hardly matters.

Interesting take on it from Hansen.

Turning up the pressure on Beale and Mckenzie 

Looking forward to Saturday 
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9421252,00.html

Off to Amsterdam with the missus Friday till Monday so probably wot be able to predict sorry guys!

     

Have fun Prop lad!

Right guys, Now i'v added Davies to my side are my backs looking better?

9.Phipps
10.Farrell
11.Jane
12.De Villers
13.Davies
14.Pitatau
15.Smith

Looks 10 times better to me Driver. When you have the SH players back then it looks very very good.

prop_lyd wrote:Off to Amsterdam with the missus Friday till Monday so probably wot be able to predict sorry guys!

Think your doing this the wrong way Prop   

Sweet backline driver

Best in the game for me.

Outstanding Driver. Davies possibly best 13 in world, fantastic player.

Definatley the best midfield in game, there's some cheeky back 3's about (Chris, CJB, Pete) that could better you

Only real issue for me is Phipps. Whilst he is currently in great nick if he returns to what I'd call his average over the last few years then he becomes a bit of a weakness. However at the minute he is fine.

Cheers guys.

Still 1 or 2 away from being a top 4 side but should play some good rugby.

Been snowed in this week as has Pete by the looks of it. Results are up for the semifinals of the summer cup will run the final off next week   

Interesting take on things is that Meyer is going for 5 points in this game against argies but 
Is shaping his side to play wet weather in World Cup as English conditions don't favour hard and fast rugby

" "I think Heyneke's gameplan for a wet World Cup in England is 100 percent correct, so he'll continue to pick the right men to execute that gameplan.

"I think South Africa will be hoping to get five points before tackling the All Blacks or Wallabies," said the former Springbok captain.

With no specialist outside centre in the Springbok squad, it remains to be seen if the SA backline will click from square one. Meyer has insisted that skipper Jean de Villiers will only play at 12 from now on, meaning that Damian De Allende could make his Test debut out of position.

"It is a concern but if you are going to make those changes, a year out from the World Cup, they need to be done now, not in the few months ahead of the event," commented Krige.

"Everyone will forgive Meyer if he doesn't get it right now, but wins next year. Remember Jake White lost the Tri-Nations before the World Cup by experimenting 'in preparation'. So rather do it now and have a settled team next year.

"I rate Juan de Jongh, he has a phenomenal step, but it might be that Heyneke is looking towards other bigger players with next year in mind. Hopefully Juan gets a chance to get back into the squad and prove his worth at that level."

You can just post links you know.

Can't see JDJ getting in, he's not had a sniff under Meyer.

Conrad Smith out of Aus game, Crotty called up as midfield cover. Fekitoa likely to start.

I
Can't see JDJ getting in either. Fine player and defensively nails. Always remember him against abs at 12
With I think JDJ and they shut them down so well. Blitz defence 


Serfontein is the unluckiest. Guy is fantastic and can play 12 or 13
And has gas.

Meyer has particular ideas and is rigid.
No bok fan wants pienaar but he is adamant pienaar stays. He brings in bakkies and matfield and has a selection policy where
Some overseas are ok
And some are barred 

He is a bit mad but may actually get it right.

Boks building good depth and have danger runners out wide. Will be a handful in English conditions.

Personally think it will be them vs England in wc final

Rumours bristol and worcester in for brad Thorn in local rag this evening. Thought he had signed an extension

No he's left, said he'd signed for team in NH.