A virtual competition that adds a little bit more fun to watching our players do their thing every weekend.

What in the world is this?

Fantasy Sports is much loved by sports lovers worldwide, most notably in the US. In 2019 it was estimated the fantasy sports services sector reached 8.48 billion dollars. In 2021, that number skyrocketed to an estimated 22.31 billion US dollars!

In the Rugby League World, the NRL have such platforms as NRL Dreamteam and NRL Supercoach. Rugby7Stars is the Sevens Rugby version where you select your favourite Sevens players to contest a virtual match based on real life performance.

How does this league work?

While we’re putting together our very own fantasy league, this will serve as an introduction on how it all works for those of you unfamiliar with Virtual Sports. Every week we will select 17 players for Fiji Confederacies Burebasaga, Kubuna and Tovata along with a combined side consisting of Fijian players not aligned with representing Fiji. Teams will be based on a Rugby League lineup with 6 players in reserve, 3 backs and 3 forwards. Reserves do not score points but will be drafted into the side if a player in the 17 is not selected that weekend.

We have chosen a Rugby League lineup as it simplifies selection and guarantees enough numbers.

Picking the sides

Firstly, they must be aligned with representing Fiji to make any of the three confederacy teams . While players like Nathan Hughes and Seta Tamanivalu haven’t represented Fiji, they have recently pledged allegiance to the White and Black. Players who do not fit this criteria are slotted into a combined side to round out an even 4 teams.

Starting lineups will heavily favour players from Super Rugby, Gallagher Premiership, United Rugby, NRL, Super League and Top 14 as stats are available for their matches. Players in other leagues are also considered but they will only score in-game points since no stats are available.

Scoring system

A player will score points in 3 categories. Attacking points, defensive points and in game points. Here’s the breakdown;

• Attacking points – Try Assist+ Runs + Metres + Clean Breaks + Defenders Beaten + Offloads = Total divided by 10
• Defensive points – Tackles – missed tackles – turnovers/errors – penalties conceded = Total divided by 10
• In game points – Tries + Penalty Goals + Conversions + Drop Goals = Total (is not divided)

Here’s an example to give you a better idea.

This is how Aminiasi Tuimaba, Vinaya Habosi and Rob Valetini would have scored in their last matches;

The blue column total is all their stats added up. Divide that by 10 and you have your true total in the orange column.

In game points are not divided like attacking and defensive points.

The true totals are added up to give you the team total. Divide the team total by 5 and you have your final score. The divisions make the final scores a bit more realistic. Team totals are rounded to the closest whole number. Eg 35.3=35.

With that out of the way, here are your first teams for this weekends matches. Players not named will be used if needed. Highest scoring outside players will have top priority but Reserves must be used first.
Players from Rotuma will be aligned with Tovata as they are the smallest of the three confederacies.

Let us know what you think

The purpose of this is to add a little bit more fun to our content with everything lately based around news. Let us know how we can improve it and if you are interested in joining the first Rakaviti Dreamsquads which we’re currently setting up, please register your interest here. If you would like to sponsor our Dreamsquads league, send us an email at support@rakaviti.com.

Also if you believe anyone is in the wrong column, please drop a comment below. Vinaka