Rugby Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-07-16

Greetings, rugby fanatics and DFS strategists! Tebogo Nkosi here, stepping off the football pitch for a moment to dive deep into the thrilling world of Super Rugby fantasy. Ignore any rogue basketball scores you might have seen floating around – we're all about the oval ball here at SportsPulse.com. This week promises some explosive matchups, and to help you navigate the DraftKings and FanDuel landscape, I've got the lowdown on who to pick, who to fade, and where to find that winning edge.

Rugby Fantasy Overview — This Week's Landscape Recent Super Rugby action has been a whirlwind, with the Crusaders looking imperious at home, while the Stormers continue to show their attacking flair. Key trends indicate a surge in try-scoring from backline players, particularly wings and fullbacks, making them premium fantasy assets. On the injury front, the Blues are sweating on the fitness of their star flyhalf, potentially impacting their attacking cohesion. Scheduling sees several teams playing back-to-back tough fixtures, which could lead to fatigued forwards and opportunities for opposition poachers. Defensively, teams like the Brumbies are proving stingy, making points hard to come by against them.

Must-Start Plays — Top 3 Starters 1. Damian McKenzie (Flyhalf, Chiefs): McKenzie, priced in the high-tier, is an absolute must-start. His recent form has been electric, consistently delivering massive fantasy points through his kicking at goal, elusive running, and knack for setting up or scoring tries. This week, the Chiefs face a Hurricanes side that, while dangerous, has shown defensive frailties in the midfield. McKenzie’s high usage as the primary playmaker and kicker, coupled with his ability to break the line from anywhere, makes him a foundational piece for any lineup. His floor is incredibly high, and his ceiling is unmatched among flyhalves this week.

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