Fantasy MLR: Round 2 Start/Sit Advice
By: John Fitzpatrick
Feb 24, 2023 - 7:45pm
Whoa Nellie, did we see some high scores in the first round of The Fantasy Ruckers.
Kudos to league newcomers, Rugby Wrap Up, for nearly hitting the century mark.
Who invited those guys into the league!?
And how about poop emoji holder Ruck'N'Roll - he scored the second-most points last week.
What the heck is going on!?
I'm 100% certain that both those fantasy managers read last week's Start/Sit Advice column because they nailed their lineup decisions in Round 1.
Let's find out what fantasy managers should do this weekend.
Lineup Decisions
Ahead of each week's matchup, I'll place players into three categories - "Must Start," "Solid Start," and "Consider if Needed."
Must Start - These players are going into your starting lineup no matter what. You feel good that they will accumulate a lot of points every week.
Solid Start - These players are solid fantasy contributors every week, maybe even pop off on certain weeks. You can count on them for steady points, and are the backbone of your team.
Consider If Needed - These are players you are taking a flyer on. Add them to your lineup and cross your fingers for a big performance.
A Quick Note: As of this writing (Friday 7 PM EST), seven teams have posted game day rosters, so we'll take those into account with this week's rankings.
Caveat: this column won't feature every single player eligible at each position - just the handful of players that league members have on rosters and are considering for their lineups.
Front Row
Quick Note:The top two point scorers at the position have a bye this week - Old Glory DC's Nic Souchon and Chicago Hounds' Charlie Abel.
Must Start
Mills Sanerivi, Hooker, New England Free Jacks - the hooker rewarded fantasy managers with a try in Round 1. Let's keep the good times rolling.
Sama Malolo, Hooker, San Diego Legion - the big fella scored a try in San Diego's Round 1 win over Utah. He faces a stiffer test this week against the New England Free Jacks, one of the top defensive teams last season, but I'm plugging him in the "must start" category for Round 2.
Dylan Fawsitt, Hooker, New York Ironworkers - after a modest Round 1, Fawsitt is in a good bounce-back spot this weekend.
Solid Start
Alex Maughan, Loosehead prop, Rugby ATL - 9.9 fantasy points in Round 1. You really can't ask for much more here.
Mazamo Majola, Loosehead prop Seattle Seawolves - a solid 7.6 fantasy points in Round 1.
Osi Pifeleti, Loosehead prop, San Diego Legion - a solid 7 fantasy points from the big fella in Round 1.
Peter Malcolm, Hooker, Seattle Seawolves - gets the start again in Round 2. Peter had a quiet Round 1, but look for a bounce-back effort against Atlanta.
Kaleb Geiger, Hooker, New York Ironworkers - still racks up solid fantasy points with less minutes than most other hookers in the league.
Pat O'Toole, Hooker, NOLA Gold - 3.9 fantasy points in Round 1 against a tough New England defense. Doesn't get much easier against Houston though this weekend.
Sam Matenga, Tighthead prop, Seattle Seawolves
Tuvere Vugakoto, Hooker, Utah Warriors
Consider If Needed
Jarred Adams, Hooker, NOLA Gold - one of the few bright spots from a fantasy perspective last week, Adams scored 9.2 points. He's coming off the bench in Round 2.
James Malcolm, Hooker, Seattle Seawolves - starts on the bench again in Round 2.
Andrew Quattrin, Hooker, New England Free Jacks - a respectable 4.7 fantasy points in Round 1. Probably comes off the bench again in Round 2.
Gene Syminton, Hooker, Toronto Arrows - 2.4 fantasy points in Round 1.
Second Row
Quick Note: The top point scorer at the position - Chicago Hounds' Luke White - has a bye this week.
Must Start
Ryno Herbst, Seattle Seawolves - scored the second-most points at the position in Round 1. I'm not bucking this trend - he's a "must start."
Johan Momsen, Rugby ATL - despite a modest tally of fantasy points in Round 1, Momsen is a "must start" even though he's lining up at flanker in Round 2.
Jurrie van Vuuren, Utah Warriors - 5.9 fantasy points is solid, but the matchup this round slots him solidly into the "must start" category.
Cam Dolan, NOLA Gold - 8.5 fantasy points in Round 1. I'm rolling with Dolan again in Round 2.
Josh Larsen, New England Free Jacks - a solid 7.7 fantasy points in Round 1. He's a "must start" again.
Solid Start
Corey Thomas, Toronto Arrows - despite what Matty said in this week's episode of The Fantasy Ruckers Show, I'm chasing points where I can at this position. Let's see if Thomas can repeat his performance from Round 1.
Ben Mitchell, Seattle Seawolves - first start of the season for Ben. Let's plug him into the "solid start" category.
Nathan den Hoedt, Houston SaberCats
Ben Grant, San Diego Legion
Liam Hallam Eames, NOLA Gold
Justin Basson, Rugby ATL
Ben Landry, Seattle Seawolves
Consider if Needed
Nate Brakeley, New York Ironworkers
Mike Sheppard, Toronto Arrows
Saia 'Uhila, Utah Warriors
Back Row
Quick Note: Adriaan Booysen was the top point scorer at the position in Round 1, and Ruck'N'Roll dropped $11 to grab him in the waiver wires.
Must Start
Hanco Germishuys, No.8, Houston SaberCats - 14.3 fantasy points in Round 1. He's a no-brainer as a "must start," though shifted over to flanker in Round 2.
Lucas Rumball, Flanker, Toronto Arrows - 14.1 fantasy points in Round 1. I'm chasing points here. Must Start.
Lance Williams, Flanker, Utah Warriors - a modest total last round - 4.6 fantasy points - but is in a good spot in Round 2 for a bounce-back performance.
Wian Conradie, No.8, New England Free Jacks - 11.9 fantasy points. Must Start.
Jason Damm, No.8, Rugby ATL - 11.4 fantasy points in Round 1. Must Start.
Conrado Roura, Flanker, Dallas Jackals - 10.4 fantasy points in Round 1. I'll chase those points.
Danny Barrett, Flanker, Houston SaberCats - 10.1 fantasy points in Round 1.
Moni Tongauiha, NOLA, Flanker, NOLA Gold - 10 fantasy points in Round 1.
Solid Start
Riekert Hattingh, No.8 Seattle Seawolves - a solid 9.7 fantasy points in Round 1. No doubt his fantasy output will tick up as the season goes on.
Tom Florence, Flanker, NOLA Gold
Bailey Wilson, Flanker, Utah Warriors
Brendon O’Connor, Flanker, New York Ironworkers
Christian Poidevin, Flanker, San Diego Legion
Benjamin Bonasso, Flanker, New York Ironworkers
Tevita Tameilau, Flanker, San Diego Legion
Consider if Needed
Matt Heaton, Flanker, Rugby ATL - named to the reserves in Round 2.
Scrumhalf
Quick Note: Nate Augspurger led all scrumhalf-eligible players in Round 1, despite playing on the wing. He'll have this week and next before he loses the SH designation.
Must Start
Nate Augspurger, San Diego Legion - 19.3 fantasy points. Start him while you can.
John Poland, New England Free Jacks - scored two tries in Round 1. He's locked in as a "must start."
Carlo de Nysschen, Houston SaberCats - scored 14 fantasy points in Round 1 and slots back into the starting XV for Houston this weekend.
JP Smith, Seattle Seawolves - going to leave JP here despite scoring only 2 fantasy points in Round 1.
Solid Start
Richard Judd, San Diego Legion - a solid 7.2 fantasy points in Round 1.
Ross Braude, Toronto Arrows - a respectable 5.7 fantasy points in Round 1.
Damian Stevens, NOLA Gold - putting Stevens here even after a modest 1.2 fantasy points in Round 1.
Consider If Needed
Connor McLeod, Utah Warriors - keeping an eye on the starting scrumhalf for Utah to see if Niall Saunders gets the nod.
Jason Higgins, San Diego Legion
Niall Saunders, Utah Warriors
Luke Campbell, NOLA Gold
Pedro Imhoff, Dallas Jackals
Ryan Rees, Rugby ATL - scored 6.3 fantasy points off the bench in Round 1.
Ryan Gouws, Rugby ATL - got the start but only scored 1.5 fantasy points in Round 1.
Flyhalf
Quick Note: David Coezter led all scorers at the position with 19.2 fantasy points.
Must Start
David Coetzer, Houston SaberCats - see above. A "must start."
Josh Henderson, San Diego Legion - scored 18.7 fantasy points in Round 1. Yup, lock him into the "must start" category, even though he faces a tough New England defense.
Jordan Chait, Seattle Seawolves - quite the MLR debut for the South African. He went 6/6 from the tee and could be called into kick more in Friday night's battle with Rugby ATL.
Sam Windsor, New Ironworkers - 14.5 fantasy points last round. He's a solid a bet as there is at flyhalf.
Jayson Potroz, New England Free Jacks - 14.8 fantasy points in Round 1. Can't really ask for more. Potroz is a "must start" in Round 2.
Solid Start
Sam Malcolm, Toronto Arrows - a little nervous by the lack of scoring in Round 1, still Malcolm has the talent to score more. He's still a solid starter.
Rodney Iona, NOLA Gold - saw a glimpse of the play-making magic in Round 1, but hard to find space to run against New England's defense.
Jack Heighton, New York Ironworkers - probably going to be running out at fullback in Round 2, so only one more week with the flyhalf designation unless something changes.
Duncan van Schalkwyk, Rugby ATL - gets the start in Round 1. Let's see what he'll do.
Consider If Needed
AJ Alatimu, Seattle Seawolves - it's crazy that it's Round 2 and we are placing Alatimu here, but Jordan Chait put on a show in Round 1.
Joel Hodgson, Utah Warriors - a modest total in Round 1 - let's see how he goes in Round 2.
Calvin Whiting, Utah Warriors - started at center in Round 1. May not have the flyhalf designation for much longer.
Center
Quick Note: Three of the top four centers last week have a bye in Round 2.
Must Start
Spencer Jones, New England Free Jacks - scored 12.4 fantasy points in Round 1, which was good for 4th at the position.
JP du Plessis, NOLA Gold - a solid 8.8 fantasy points in Round 1. May still find it tough going against Houston's defense this round.
Wayne van der Bank, New England Free Jacks
Will Leonard, Rugby ATL - lines up on the wing in Round 2.
Tei Walden, New York Ironworkers - a solid 8.4 fantasy points in Round 1.
Dan Kriel, Seattle Seawolves - 11.6 fantasy points in Round 1.
Paul Lasike, Utah Warriors - 10.6 fantasy points in Round 1.
Christian Dyer, Houston SaberCats - 10.5 fantasy points in Round 1.
Solid Start
Jordan Jackson-Hope - a solid 9.2 fantasy points in Round 1.
Tavite Lopeti, Seattle Seawolves
Fa'asui Fuatai, New York Ironworkers
Tautalatasi Tasi, Toronto Arrows
Marcel Brache, San Diego Legion
Consider if Needed
Ben LeSage, New England Free Jacks - selected in the reserves for Round 2, so it'll be our first look at LeSage in the regular season.
Keep on the Bench
Louritz van der Schyff, Houston SaberCats - not sure the extent of the injury he suffered in Round 1, but he's a big loss for Houston and fantasy managers.
Le Roux Malan, New England Free Jacks - on New England's "injury & recovery list for Round 2.
Back Three
Quick Note: Despite only scoring 17 points in Round 1, Rugby ATL placed three backs in the top 11 at the position in fantasy.
Must Start
Duncan Matthews, Fullback, Seattle Seawolves - leading point scorer in Round 1, Matthews is a "must start" every week.
Ed Fidow, Wing, New York Ironworkers - last season's leading try scorer dotted down in Round 1. He's in a good spot this week to grab another one (or two).
Caleb Makene, Fullback, Utah Warriors - 17.2 fantasy points in Round 1.
Rewita Biddle, Rugby ATL - 16.6 fantasy points in Round 1, but lined up at center, and does so again in Round 2.
Mitch Wilson, Fullback, New England Free Jacks - Wilson had a sublime game in Round 1 and deserves the "must start" designation each week.
Martin Iosefo, Wing, Seattle Seawolves - 11.5 fantasy points in Round 1.
Dougie Fife, Wing, NOLA Gold - he's back. Let's roll him out there in Round 1.
Solid Start
Andrew Coe, Wing, New York Ironworkers
Taniela Filimone, New England Free Jacks - 11.3 fantasy points in Round 1.
Mikey Te'o, wing, San Diego Legion - a solid 9.4 fantasy points in Round 1.
Paula Balekana, Wing, New England Free Jacks - had a quiet Round 1.
Drew Wild, Fullback, Houston SaberCats
Joey Mano, Wing, Utah Warriors
Eric Naposki, Wing, Dallas Jackals
Jordan Trainor, Fullback, NOLA Gold
Harley Wheeler, Wing NOLA Gold
Consider if Needed
Conner Mooneyham, Wing, Seattle Seawolves
Cliven Loubser, Utility Back, Utah Warriors
Lauina Futi, Utility Back, Seattle Seawolves
Team Defense/Set Piece
Quick Note: Six clubs did not score any points in the "bonus point team" category.
Must Start
New England Free Jacks - 3 fantasy points in Round 1.
San Diego Legion - 3 fantasy points in Round 1.
Solid Start
NOLA Gold - 2 fantasy points in Round 1.
Utah Warriors - 0 fantasy points in Round 1.
Houston SaberCats - 1 fantasy point in Round 1.
Toronto Arrows - 1 fantasy point in Round 1.
Consider if Needed
Seattle Seawolves - 0 fantasy points in Round 1.
New York Ironworkers - 0 fantasy points in Round 1.
Rugby ATL - 0 fantasy points in Round 1.
Keep on the Bench
Old Glory DC - 3 fantasy points in Round 1.
Chicago Hounds - 0 fantasy points in Round 1.
Dallas Jackals - 0 fantasy points in Round 1.