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Welcome to the 4th season of the fantasy aviva premiership game


Opening Weekend fixtures; Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs ; London Irish vs Harlequins ; Newcastle Falcons vs Bath ; Northampton vs Gloucester ; Saracens vs London Wasps ; Worcester Warriors vs Sale Sharks

This Weeks match thread(s) :- https://www.606v2.com/t8662-fixtures-3#245781

Season One Homepage (Archived)

Season Two Homepage Part One(Archived)

Season Two Homepage Part Two(Archived)

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Fixture/Results list

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Top Points Scorers

Top Try Scorers

European Homepage

LV Anglo Welsh Cup Homepage

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Waiting list for a team

1. Sam
2. pullthestrings
3. Bathite

Teams
Bath RFC
Manager:- 207bars

Exeter Chiefs
Manager:- RugbyDriver

Gloucester
Manager:- Anonmattyt

Harlequins
Manager:- Steve_sharks

Leicester Tigers
Manager:- LukeLovesLuka

London Irish
Manager:- stnick88

London Wasps
Manager:- Arry

Newcastle Falcons
Manager:- PoolyPunk

Northampton Saints
Manager:- Dammit_Chris

Sale Sharks
Manager:- SirJohnnyEnglish

Saracens
Manager:- LDCPete]

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop_Lyd

Iaone to Japan eh, didn't know that

Been on the cards for a while. He's having second thoughts about it though

He's had offers from Japan but hasn't committed to anything yet...

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=31089

Personally I reckon he will stay with the Reds.

Pierre Spies, Coenie Oosthuizen and Johann Muller all been added to boks 'injury' list

What was the final like ? Worth watching it's on over Here later on today. Just reading online that genia was man of the match and that higginbotham and faiingaa at 13 was defensively outstanding??

What was the game like? Missed it as went for a run, doesnt sound as though it was one of the best.

Read a few articles that are seeming to suggest that clubs are going to start playing two 7's as flankers so they have two 'scavengers' on the pitch at the same time. Saying they can do away with the traditional 6 because of the way that locks are coming through e.g. Lawes, who can carry the ball and make the hard yards etc.

What do people think is the best England backrow and who they will play during the WC? Would imagine - Croft, Moody and Easter if Moody is selected as captain - think id prefer Wood or Haskell though

Looking for a centre who is available during the RWC

Poor game Matt, Crusaders dominated set piece but most of Reds defended superbly. Genia played well, kicked too much first half but great try. Crusaders should of run but I think the traveling caught up on them.

Alright everyone looking to improve my back row options and also bring in a hooker. I need a starting openside flanker of good quality and a replacement back rower. If anyone has anyone available let me know, cheers.

Rumoured AB squad:

Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava, Zac Guildford, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu, Colin Slade, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.

Slade to be preferred over Cruden due to ability to cover wing/FB

Hoeata in due to Donnally's poor form

Sivivatu dropped and Jane in on reputation alone.

Isnt Siviatu injured? Didnt think he would be back before the WC...

Sivivatu played the last few games of S15 Chris, they reckon his condition is way short of expected. This is from an article, not my opinion....I'd have Smith over Toeava and prob Boric over Hoeata.

Apparently Dagg will be fit so no toeava would take cruden over slade and no woodcock is nonsense

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/wynne-gray/news/article.php?a_id=23&objectid=10737315&ref=rss

Pooly, Siviatu was injured in April and then got carried off in mid-June with a shoulder injury against the Reds. Said the shoulder could cost him a WC place. Just had a look through some sites and it seems he will be back in a few months - think that might explain his condition.

There are a lot of odd articles popping up all over the place - seen a few that have said England are only taking 3 locks and using Easter and Croft as emergency cover - that they are only taking Care and Youngs as no9s with Foden acting 3rd choice.

Can't see how anyone other than the coaches know what the squads will be - players could get injured in the Tri-nations and in the WC warm up games.

I remember watching him against Reds Chris, was mid June. He was only out a couple of weeks though and has made the squad. AB squad for 3N:

John Afoa, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams,
Sonny Bill Williams and Tony Woodcock.

"Wyatt Crockett, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Ben Smith will join the squad as injury cover for Tony Woodcock, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear and Israel Dagg.

Graham Henry says Jane and Sivivatu have earned a reprieve.

Henry says Jane and Sivivatu did not play great rugby during the Super 15 but are great All Blacks.@

Guys, just so you know, i'm away in Manchester from tomorrow till Wednesday evening so won't be too active

Aus squad for 3N:

Forwards: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Ben Daley (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (capt) (Brumbies), Saia Faingaa (Reds), James Hanson (Reds), Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), James Horwill (Reds), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), David Pocock (Western Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Beau Robinson (Reds), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Radike Samo (Reds), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Rob Simmons (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs).

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Rod Davies (Reds), Anthony Faingaa (Reds), Will Genia (Reds), Mark Gerrard (Melbourne Rebels), Matt Giteau (Toulon), Digby Ioane (Reds), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Luke Morahan (Reds), James O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Lachie Turner (Waratahs).

When you have Alexander and Daley in your squad as Props you certainly think Aussies could get a hammering in the scrums

Would agree with Henry about Siviatu being a great All Black and a cra p season. He seems to raise his game, but I guess when you have Carter marshalling the backline and Conrad Smith setting things up from 13 then you've got no choice but to up your game. Espc if SBW gets playing too.

If NZ had a good 9 then they would be unstoppable.

Still think that Aussie pack and lack of a top rate goal kicker will let them down - if it rains then they wont compete in the front five.

Good news fOr me that rock will be available despite having a top season. Surprised by that but Guildford has been sensational

Whilst I tend to agree that teams who can gain a platform in the set piece have a huge advantage, the Reds showed yesterday that you can combat being beaten up at the scrum to a certain extent by playing smart.

All they did at every scrum was get the ball in and out lightning fast. As soon as it arrived at the number 8's feet he picked up and popped a pass of to Genia on a loop and they played from there. It may not have been front foot ball and putting Crusaders under pressure, but it was quick ball and even if they were 2/3 yards behind where they started they at least had the opportunity to make that ground up. Smart rugby. I would imagine that Australia will employ similar tactics against the stronger scrummaging sides in the WC.

Alexander is a good prop, he's very solid at S15 and performs better in the set piece than Coonie who's not a great scrummager. Similar player to Coonie really as both stronger in the loose.

Pete, what was the weather like in the s15 final? As I;d imagine that during the WC there is going to be a lot of rain and muddy pitches, really couldnt see Aussies pulling that off against teams like SA, Ireland and England.

Hope England's backrow steps up a level, we've got a great front five now - we just seem quite far behind other teams in terms of the backrow. Ireland kicked our butts there, can see SA and NZ doing the same. We dont seem to have a great fetcher anywhere.

Pooly let's see in the tri nations. COonie is a really strong scrummager and getting better and better.

Don't think Daley or Alexander come within a mile scrummaging wise:

Can see coonie being starting prop for SA although hoped this was not the case when I signed him

Hate it when you sign someone thinking they will be excellent squad players and they then become far better. I have so many missing

He gets pastings at S15 level which is something I've not seen happen much to Alexander. Alexander can suffer at TH at Int level but at least he's playing Int level.

Owen Franks took Coonie to the cleaners, his technique isn't great. Will come though I'm sure.

Seen him give some hidings out at s15 level. Nel is not greatest scrummagers and their locks are not great,
Really rate simmonds the reds young lock. Great work rate

I didn't think it would be Coonies fault lol. I really like him by the way, going to be SA LH for years to come but he's not a good scrummager yet. Getting involved with SA squad might help.

cheetahs front row was brilliant this year.
in planet rugby team of the week one of coonie or nel was in the team every week.

Agree they've been good as a unit but if Coonie has a weakness it's his scrummaging. Think Nel is pretty solid in the scrum.

Nel was in 3/18 teams of the week and Coonie 1/18 Nick.

didnt mean it literally pooly but it always seemed like one of their front row was in there or getting a mention.

u seen the planet rugby team of the season?

any glaring errors in there for anyone?

I know mate, took your point lol

I think I stuck it up a few weeks back

Roasted venison is finally done and a mahussive roast dinner, all home cooked!! Bottle of red and then come 5 tomorrow i'm off to Manchester!!

Just going to put this out there... know I may be biased... But why aren't Robbie Freuen and Aaron Cruden involved with the All Blacks for the tri nations??!!

Cruden the form New Zealand 10 right now and Freuen up there with Fourie as the best 13 in the super 15 this year :run2:

Helps my world cup backline out though!

crazy that Freuan has been overlooked.
Cruden I'm not that suprised with but no Freuan is shocking.

Bet you did a little dance when you say that news SJE

Toeava's verstaility may be the reason.

Tough call with Fruen/Kahui but experience maybe sways it.

Slade....has a more Carter like game I think than Cruden who's more off the cuff. AB's like to use Carter from FB starting moves and Slade suits this down to the ground with experience at FB and Wing. Cruden has came on loads but Slade has been groomed at Crusaders for the 10 slot.

Think he's going to start against Fiji so we'll see if his lack of game time will effect him.

I know it was tight between Cruden and Slade but Cruden has been pretty good the last few months and has worked on everything Henry and co told him to do. Would be a bit put out if I was him

Was shocked not to see freuen in there. The lad is a monster and him and SBW have a fantastic combo going would be a handy world cup option for New Zealand. Possibly the form 13 of Super 15. Kahui a class act but not in the same form and Freuen has that link up with SBW and Carter at Crusaders as well.

Damn right Luke! If they dont go I might actually have a pretty good side for the world cup!!

Same with Maitland mate, Henry doesn't like Bolters. I just think Slade suits the gameplan more with his ability to play FB. In after only 40mins of game time in 2 months shows this I think.

Cruden is still a young lad too, another year will do him no harm.

Yeah see where your coming from mate Im not going to complain am I!

See Ben Smith is in as injury cover. Been in great form. Arguably the most potent all black back this year up their with SBW. Hopefully he can stake a claim for himself.

Henry has always been fairly conservative in selections. am not suprised at all with who is in and who is left out.

Despite Nonu not having the best season, unless SBW does something absolutely amazing during the 3N's I would imagine that we will see the tried and tested Nonu/Smith axis starting in the midfield when the World Cup comes around.

Disagree there Pete, henry seems a huge fan of SBW and I think he will start. There's talk of Nonu going on the wing.

Kahui picked because his defence is better and he can also play wing.

I really rate freuan but a lot of kiwi fans think his defence is not that great. Every time I have seen him his defence looks
Fine. Read on kiwi websites the comment that he goes for
The big hit too much and sometimes misses and that it may cost then sooner or later.

Guildford and Gear on the wings is some combo with Dagg to bring the Dynamite from the bench.

Apparently Fruean needs to improve his work rate.

Havent heard that one much myself now Matt.
Freuen has looked a rock in defence for the Saders but then not to hard to do. Crusaders have a pretty good defence all round

Like I said johnny i think his defence is
Fine whenever I see him.

It was on rugby heaven or a similar site. The Ab's back 3 is incredible

stnick

I've not heard talk of him going on the wing. I have heard that they will only take 5 back three players on the basis that if needed Nonu or Kahui can play out wide, and have also read in the NZ press that there has been consideration given to playing SBW on the wing just to get him into the team.

Yeah have to agree they have some ridiculous options in the back 3 with some great form. Going to be ahard job for anyone stopping the All Blacks this autumn

Assuming Mils and Gear are certainties, that leaves three out of:

Sivi, Jane, Dagg, Toeava and Guildford.

Sivi is just left wing (same as Gear), so would omit him, and Toeava's injury costs him IMO.
Jane can play FB/wing, as can Dagg.

Not even in the current squad - Ranger + Rokocoko.

Sickening really when you think about it...

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3818_7024747,00.html

doubt either will go on the wing as they have so many good natural wingers anyway. could still go with 12 SBW, 13 Nonu.