A reality check for fantasy owners: If you want to win your league, owning Ardie Savea or Damian McKenzie isn’t going to be the difference maker.
Instead, it’s those players you select around them (or maybe instead) that will be key towards your climb to the top.
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‘PODs’ (Players of Difference) are those players who are low in ownership but have the potential to score big and prove the difference.
Rugby.com.au looks at a list of players to consider in 2025
*note: for a player to be considered a POD, they must have 10% or less ownership
Both props are expected to play big roles in title-conceding teams.
Numia has all the explosive talent to thrive in Fantasy, with his try against the Chiefs in Round 14 a highlight of the year. Ross, who is committed to the Reds after the season, is an excellent scrummager who can earn plenty of points on his day.
Ikanivere’s low ownership is a real surprise, given his knack for finding the try-line.
He scored four tries for the Test side in 2024 and is one of the more dynamic ball-carrying hookers in the competition.
Porecki, meanwhile, is priced lower than he should as a result of missing 2024 due to injury and will win plenty of scrum penalties in a Waratahs pack filled with Wallabies.
Williams was a real lineout threat for the Western Force, towards the top of the table for steals (seven) in 2024.
It propelled him into the Wallaby set-up, showcasing his athleticism with an incredible sideline try against England.
Williams’ work rate will make him a consistent scorer with double-digit carries and tackles a crucial part of his game
Similarly, Tizzano offers great upside for any manager looking for a breakdown threat and tackle machine.
There are not many players better in Super Rugby, and with four points per turnover up for grabs, he’ll have a huge chance of scoring big points.
He also topped the competition comfortably for tackles (240), 30 more than the next best.
Both scrum halves have huge potential to go big with their runner-friendly style.
Gordon displayed his frustration with his price and will have a point to prove.
Hotham, meanwhile, is the clear starter after his All Blacks debut and finished the year with tries in his last three games.
This is the big risk but there are plenty of options that can match the two All Blacks and free space for other weapons.
Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta (2.3%) was excellent last year and should find his way into the starting side despite Barrett’s return.
On the Australian side, Waratah Tane Edmed (4.4%) and Force’s Ben Donaldson (1.5%) have the perfect style of play to go big for fantasy if they get the right opposition.
Masi may be the most overlooked player so far in fantasy.
The Fijian notched the highest number of tackle busts in 2024 with 80, surpassing the next player by 11. Additionally, he ranked among the top ten for carries and metres gained.
Aumua experienced a lean 2024, but if he can return to his Moana Pasifika performance, he will be a formidable presence in the Crusaders backline.
There are plenty of try-scoring threats on the wing that could go big in 2025.
Toole is the headline name of the quartet, dicing up defenders at will in 2024.
Potter and Jorgensen are coming off Wallabies debuts whilst Nanai-Seturowas top five for tries, metres and eighth for defenders beaten.
