Rugby Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-06-14

Welcome back to the SportsPulse.com DFS scrum, where we're breaking down the weekly Super Rugby slate to give you the winning edge on DraftKings and FanDuel. Forget last week's results; we're focused on making you money this week. Let's dive into the essential picks you need to dominate your contests.

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes - Flanker): Savea is an absolute fantasy monster, and he's in peak form. Last week against the Chiefs, he recorded a staggering 18 tackles, 3 turnovers won, and a crucial try, racking up 60+ fantasy points on both platforms. His work rate is unmatched, and with the Hurricanes facing a struggling Waratahs pack, expect Savea to feast at the breakdown and power over for another score. He’s a high-floor, high-ceiling play you can’t ignore. 2. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs - Fly-half/Fullback): McKenzie is a perennial fantasy goldmine, especially when he’s running hot. He’s fresh off a 20-point performance against the Crusaders, contributing 100+ meters gained, 2 try assists, and a perfect 5/5 from the tee. His attacking flair and goal-kicking responsibilities make him incredibly safe, and this week against the Highlanders, expect a wide-open game where McKenzie can exploit space and rack up points from tries, assists, and conversions. 3. Caleb Clarke (Blues - Wing): Clarke is a bruising winger who finds the try line with alarming regularity. He’s crossed for a try in three of his last four outings, including a powerful double against the Drua last weekend where he broke 7 tackles. The Blues are at home this week against the Rebels, a team known for conceding tries out wide. Clarke's power and finishing ability make him an elite threat to score multiple times and eat up meters after contact.

1. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders - Lock): While a legend of the game, Whitelock’s fantasy upside has been somewhat limited recently. He's a tackle machine, but his attacking contributions are minimal, and he rarely scores tries. Last week against the Brumbies, he managed 15 tackles but only 2 carries for a modest 15 fantasy points. With a tough matchup against the physical Stormers pack this week, his ceiling remains low, and his salary doesn’t justify the limited upside compared to other options. 2. Nic White (Brumbies - Scrum-half): White is a top-tier scrum-half, but his fantasy output relies heavily on assists and penalty goals, which can be inconsistent. Last week saw him with 0 try assists and a less-than-stellar kicking performance (2/4 conversions). The Brumbies face the Blues this week, a team known for their stifling defense and ability to disrupt half-backs. White’s floor is decent, but his ceiling is capped, making him a risky play when you need explosive scoring from your half-back.

Two Value/Bargain Plays Under Salary Cap

1. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs - Wing): "Nawa" has been quiet but possesses immense talent. At a reduced salary due to a couple of lower-scoring weeks, he's due for a breakout. He consistently gets touches and has the speed to capitalize on any opportunity. The Waratahs are underdogs against the Hurricanes, which often leads to more broken play and counter-attacking chances for their wingers. He's a high-upside flier at a bargain price. 2. Billy Harmon (Highlanders - Flanker): Harmon is a tackling machine and a breakdown menace who often goes overlooked. He's averaging 15+ tackles over his last three games and chipped in with a crucial turnover against the Force. Against the Chiefs, expect a high-tempo game where Harmon will be busy defensively, giving him a solid floor for his low salary. He’s a great way to save cap while still getting consistent defensive production.

Will Jordan (Crusaders - Fullback/Wing): Most fantasy managers are shying away from Jordan due to his patchy form since returning from injury and the tough matchup against the Stormers. However, Jordan is a game-breaker whose ceiling is arguably the highest in the league when he's on. He’s had a couple of lower-scoring weeks, which will suppress his ownership. But with a full week of training and the Crusaders needing a spark, this could be the week he explodes with multiple line breaks and a try or two, delivering massive points at single-digit ownership. Don't be afraid to take a calculated risk on elite talent.

Good luck this week, and may your fantasy scores be ever in your favor!

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