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SuperCoach NRL 2020: Tom Sangster’s team revealed
Sangster’s Paradise have been forced into a last-minute reshuffle following a crazy Teams List Tuesday and the devastating injury to Jack Bird.
Thomas Sangster, The Daily Telegraph
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March 11, 2020 5:21pm
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Sangster's Top Guns | KFC SuperCoach NRL
These are the players Tom Sangster believes are worth every penny when building your KFC SuperCoach NRL team.
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Sangster’s Paradise have been forced into a last-minute reshuffle following a crazy Teams List Tuesday and the untimely injury to Jack Bird.
In all I’ve made three changes since the teams were announced and 16 since the start of the week (grits teeth).
HOOKER
UPDATED 9 March: Cameron Smith ($684,600) to Apisai Koroisau ($338,800)
While it certainly feels strange to start without both Smith and Damien Cook, Koroisau’s credentials are simply too great to ignore. He averaged only 36 minutes behind Manase Fainu at the Sea Eagles last season but should push past 60 minutes (and maybe even to 80) as the top hooker at Penrith. Will become Cook or Smith in approx Round 5.
KFC SuperCoach NRL 2020: Tom Sangster's team revealed
Blayke Brailey, Sharks, $201,000
Cheapie of the year contender. Averaged 30 minutes last year but expect his game time to double now he’s taken the top hooker role at the Sharks from brother Jayden, who’s off to the Knights.
PROP
Payne Haas, Broncos, $729,200
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He sets you back $100,000 more than the next most expensive prop but he really is that much better than the rest.
Payne Haas is coming off a brilliant season.
UPDATED 9 March: Francis Molo ($298,600) to Liam Knight ($437,300)
I still think Molo will have a great year stepping up in place of the retired Matt Scott and Scott Bolton. But his PPM of 1.35 is unsustainable and he’s awkwardly priced. Knight is confirmed to start at lock for the Rabbitohs and should significantly up his game time from 41 minutes last year.
UPDATED 9 March: Stefano Utoikamanu ($171,900) to Toby Rudolf ($171,900)
Utoikamanu is unlikely for Round 1 but take it as gospel that Rudolf will score the final bench spot at the Sharks ahead of Billy Magoulias. Rudolf was super impressive in the final trial with a try, 11 runs for 89 metres, seven tackle busts and 28 tackles (with none missed).
UPDATED 9 March: Lindsay Collins ($201,000) to Jamayne Taunoa-Brown ($171,900)
Collins is set to score a Roosters bench spot in Round 1 but minutes could be limited in a stacked pack. I’ve therefore switched to pre-season sensation Taunoa-Brown. The barnstorming prop is set for a Round 1 bench spot at the Warriors following season-ending ACL injuries to Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei.
A rare Victorian junior, Taunoa-Brown brained the Queensland Cup last year before heading across the ditch. He was a shock selection at starting prop for the Indigenous All Stars, notching 88 metres in 12 runs (only David Fifita made more metres), a tackle bust, offload and 28 tackles – all in just 40 minutes. He backed that up in the final trial with an almost identical stat line – eight runs for 77 metres, a tackle bust, offload and 28 tackles. Currently owned by just two per cent of KFC SuperCoaches.
BACK ROW
Jason Taumalolo, Cowboys, $723,400
You’ll need him in your final side so just lock him in from the start and save a trade. Won’t play Origin and plays the first bye.
UPDATED 11 March: Jai Arrow ($575,700) to Jack Williams ($397,200)
The complete dearth of 2RF cheapies mean I’ve had to sacrifice Arrow for a mid-ranger. Jack Williams will wear Paul Gallen’s famous No. 13 jersey and see a big increase in game time from 37 minutes last year.
David Fifita, Broncos, $501,900
Price is based on a season average of 54, which includes games off the bench before he locked down an 80 minute edge role. Fifita averaged an incredible 79 points in his last five games, so you essentially get a keeper for a mid-range price.
Jaydn Su’A, Rabbitohs, $303,600
The Rabbitohs have lost plenty of forward fire power in Sam Burgess, George Burgess and John Sutton. Su’A is therefore a chance of an 80 minute edge role, a huge increase on his average of 41 minutes last season.
Jaydn Su'A could step into an 80 minute role.
UPDATED 9 March: Billy Magoulias ($221,700) to Patrick Carrigan ($326,300)
Pretty simple decision - Magoulias won’t make the Round 1 team and Carrigan is the best mid-range buy in KFC SuperCoach after scoring the starting lock role at the Broncos.
UPDATED 11 March: Josh Kerr ($233,000) to Coen Hess ($354,000)
Unfortunately Josh Kerr has been named outside the Dragons’ 17 for Round 1. He may still come into the side on game day but the Dragons play the last game of the round so I’m not willing to take the risk. With the money freed up from Arrow-Williams (see above) I’ve upgraded Kerr to Hess. Hess is priced at a very tempting $354,000, starts in the back row, is coming off a bumper off-season and averaged 58 in both 2017 and 2018 before last year’s disaster. Someone please talk me out if it.
HALFBACK
Nathan Cleary, Panthers, $631,500
Averaged a full five points more per game than the next best halfback last season. The best base stat halfback we’ve ever seen and history shows his SuperCoach output goes through the roof when James Maloney isn’t in the side.