Super Rugby Fantasy round six: Must-haves and avoids

Round five of Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy could be considered a ‘moving round‘ due to the huge scores of the Crusaders’ back three. This is a game you would have had to turn off if you left them out of your side.

Many people captained one Crusaders outside back, some triple-captained, making the last round an important one in the context of the season.

This weekend, there are some favourable matchups for Fantasy, including some that are hard to pick, creating one of the more challenging weeks of the season.

As you can change all 15 of your players for each week this season, here are some more “Must haves” and “Avoids” for your team in round six of the competition. 

Must-haves

Ponepati Loganimasi – Fiji Drua – Price: $5m

Going down a different route this week, as Loganimasi is the first Fijian Drua player to be on the ‘Must have‘ list this season.

The exciting winger has been fantastic this season for Fiji Drua, and this weekend they come up against a Force side who have the worst defensive record in the league and continue to concede a considerable amount of points each week.

Loganimasi hasn’t scored under 40 this season in games that he’s featured in, proving to be a consistent scorer for your fantasy teams. You would be crazy to predict a boring, low-scoring game between these two sides, hopefully giving the Fijian Drua winger ball in time and space.

Leroy Carter – Chiefs – Price: $4m

Sticking with the in-form wingers, Carter is on this list and for good reason, showcasing his pace and power in another impressive performance from the Chiefs winger on the weekend against the Blues.

Carter’s involvement in Chiefs tries is a fantasy owner’s dream, racking up the points in multiple different ways, it seems like everything the 26-year-old touches, turns into gold.

The matchup against Moana Pasifika this week in Pukekohe promises to be an exciting, free-flowing, attacking matchup with lots of tries.

The former All Blacks Sevens player has taken every opportunity given to him with both hands, putting his hand up for higher honours with Scott Robertson and the All Blacks. Carter will be eager to prove his worth to Robertson, with another strong performance against Moana Pasifika.

Tom Hooper – Brumbies – Price: $4.5m

The Wallaby has been fantastic in the first five Super Rugby Pacific rounds in 2025, leading the player/coach vote for the league’s best player by one point, ahead of Caleb Tangitau and Ardie Savea.

Hooper has consistently scored above 30 fantasy points in games he’s played this season, and as he is listed as a lock on fantasy, this weekend is a good opportunity to have the Brumbies forward in your side.

Lock is a position with slightly less upside than other positions, meaning a solid 30-point scorer without spending a crazy amount of budget is the way to go. Tupou Vaa’i is a solid option, alongside Cullen Grace and Antonio Shalfoon, but with the Brumbies taking on a highly motivated Waratahs side, Hooper is sure to have a big game in Sydney.

Honourable mentions: Caleb Tangitau (HIG), Damian McKenzie (CHI), Harry Wilson (RED).

Avoids

Mark Tele’a – Blues – Price: $9m

The high-flying All Blacks winger’s form has improved in the past couple of weeks, as Vern Cotter’s Blues side has attacked with more intent than the first couple of rounds.

Tele’a’s finishing ability has been on show, proving difficult to stop down the right touchline. If Tele’a can get some front foot ball this weekend against the Crusaders, Tele’a will score a number of points to match his price. But if the match is anything like previous encounters have been between these two teams, Tele’a will struggle for front foot ball in space, in a game that will be decided by close margins.

The winger is owned by a quarter of the teams in Super Rugby Fantasy, but with options galore in Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sevu Reece and Ponepati Loganimasi, this can be the week to go against the All Blacks winger due to his tough matchup against the Crusaders.

Quinn Tupaea – Chiefs – Price: $6.5m

There is the argument, that the last time Tupaea was benched in a New Zealand derby, the midfielder came off the bench to score 98 points against the Crusaders in round two.

But this weekend, the 44 per cent owned Tupaea shouldn’t score anywhere close to that incredible score he got in round two. This week fantasy managers should look at Len Ikitau of the Brumbies, coming off a solid performance against the Fijian Drua.

Or the reliable David Havili, whose attacking output in this Crusaders backline has been superb from a fantasy perspective. Tupaea is an avoid this week, but if you feel that strongly about a short 30-minute cameo from the Chiefs midfielder, going with him isn’t a terrible option.

Patrick Tuipulotu – Blues – Price: $5m 

Big Patrick Tuipulotu’s impact on Fantasy certainly hasn’t been as good as expected, scoring under 20 points in three of his five games this season.

As mentioned above in the Tom Hooper discussion, there is a mountain of options in the locking department this week.

The Blues lineout worries have been disappointing during the first five rounds, and with one of the world’s best lineout options facing Tuipulotu this week in All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, Tuipulotu’s points from lineouts may be limited.

Honourable mentions: Kyren Taumoefolau (MOA), Xavier Roe (CHI).

Note: Hurricanes players are unavailable to pick on Super Rugby Fantasy due to their round six bye.

Here are the specific performance scoring categories:

Playing 1-60 minutes: 1 point

Playing 61+ minutes: 2 points

For each try: 15 points

For each try assist: 9 points

For each conversion: 2 points

For each missed conversion: -1 point

For each penalty goal: 3 point

For each missed penalty: -1 point

For each drop goal: 3 point

For each missed drop goal: -1 point

Yellow Card: -5 points

Red Card: -10 points

For each turnover forced: 4 points

For each interception: 5 points

For each lineout won on own throw: 1 point

For each lineout steal on the opponent throw: 5 points

For each lineout error (includes handling error, not straight or lost outright): -2 points

For each tackle made: 1 point

For each tackle missed: -1 point

For each defender beaten: 2 points

For each offload: 2 points

For each line break: 7 points

For each line break assist: 5 points

For every 10 metres gained: 1 point

For each penalty conceded: -1 point

For each error (knock on or forward pass): -1 point

For scrum won outright (awarded to entire front row): 3 points