The launch of Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy has been massive as the build-up to the season continues.
Managers have built their dream teams in anticipation of the upcoming season, with the superstar players in hot demand
Join Rugby.com.au's Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy League here
Rugby.com.au looks at the top players selected so far
(Note, stats accurate as of February 10)
Ethan de Groot - Highlanders - $4.0 (37.9%)
Tamaiti Williams - Crusaders - $6.0 (30.9%)
Angus Bell - NSW Waratahs - $4.5 (27.7%)
A mix of cheap and expensive players as managers look to save some cash in the front-row.
de Groot is a safe selection but that opening-round clash with the Waratahs and potentially Taniela Tupou throws up some concerns.
Tamati Williams is top price for a reason: he’ll provide solid scrummaging and scoring throughout the year.
Bell runs a similar risk as de Groot but that is negated by the greater chance of attacking stats the powerful loosehead presents.
Asafo Aumua - Hurricanes - $7.5 (26.6%)
Samisoni Taukei’aho - Chiefs - $7.0 (22.8%)
Ricky Riccitelli - Blues - $7.0 (12.6%)
The trend for the hookers is try-scoring threats, with Asafo Aumua an obvious top selection given his attacking flair.
Samisoni Taukei’aho offers a similar versatility, scoring three tries in his last five games.
Likewise, Riccitelli is the clear starter ahead of Kurt Eklund and his four-try haul for Taranaki showed his damaging capabilities.
Scott Barrett - Crusaders - $5.0 (40.4%)
Tupou Vaa’i - Chiefs - $5.0 (39.0%)
Patrick Tuipulotu - Blues - $5.0 (26.7%)
A clean sweep for the All Blacks as managers back the experienced trio in the second row.
Barrett is a set-piece general and will rack up the points with his work-rate.
He just leads Vaa’i, who offers slightly more attacking than Tuipulotu, with all three expected to play big minutes for their respective sides.
Ardie Savea - Moana Pasifika - $7.5 (72.5%)
Rob Valetini - ACT Brumbies - $6.0 (33.5%)
Peter Lakai - Hurricanes - $7.0 (30.7%)
Savea takes the crown as the most popular player in the game and it’s easy to see why - he’s Ardie Savea - but it’s the next two that are surprising.
Valetini as the next best is one to watch, the backrower is reportedly dealing with a hamstring issue so it could leave managers scrambling if he’s not selected for Saturday or his minutes are reduced.
Peter Lakai was great to finish the year and finds himself selected more than Hoskins Sotutu (25.6%), who was New Zealand Player of the Year in 2024 and probably would’ve taken out the competition honour as well had it been created.
Cam Roigard - Hurricanes - $7.5 (56.0%)
Cortez Ratima - Chiefs - $7.0 (12.9%)
Folau Fakatava - Highlanders - $5.5 (8.2%)
A clear number one choice in the All Black Roigard, who is a real threat with his running threat.
Ratima narrowly takes the second spot as managers hope his partnership with Damian McKenzie will create plenty of scoring opportunities both in tries and fantasy points.
Fakatava rounds out the trio with a nice match-up against a Waratahs side who are still finding their feet as a team.
Damian McKenzie - Chiefs - $10.0 (50.7%)
Beauden Barrett - Blues - $10.0 (14.7%)
Noah Lolesio - ACT Brumbies - $7.0 (8.6%)
In the battle of the top prices, McKenzie has run away with the top selections.
Barrett has some love with the managers but the Chiefs’ playmaker all-around ability to break open the game has him the runaway first option.
Noah Lolesio is great value at $3 million cheaper although facing Fijian Drua in Fiji is a rough match-up.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - NSW Waratahs - $5.5 (49.0%)
Billy Proctor - Hurricanes - $8.0 (24.8%)
Rieko Ioane - Blues - $8.5 (23.1%)
Plenty of love for the Wallabies superstar, especially with reports he will play more as an outside back.
From here, it’s a congested field to find the next best, with seven players from six clubs with 10% or more selections.
Proctor and Ioane lead the way as two of the top priced selections, coming off great seasons that saw them power their teams into the semi-finals.
Will Jordan - Crusaders - $9.5 (67.2%)
Mark Tele’a - Blues - $9.0 (36.6%)
Tom Wright - ACT Brumbies - $9.0 (26.4%)
There’s no concern around Jordan’s health for managers, with the All Black almost double the next selection after he missed last year’s tournament with injury.
Tele’a is coming off an excellent season with the Blues and is backed for similar results.
Meanwhile, Wright was one of the best for the Wallabies and offers plenty of high-scoring output.
