Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week - Quarter Finals
The best Draft Rugby Fantasy Scorers for the Quarter Finals of Super Rugby
Intro
The first week of the Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Finals Series was a brutal showcase of championship pedigree, where playoff experience and physical dominance separated the title contenders from the rest. The Crusaders maintained their perfect post-season home record with an emphatic 52-31 thrashing of the Blues in Christchurch, while the Chiefs’ clinical second-half surge saw off a brave Queensland Reds side 46-24 in Hamilton. Over in Wellington, the Hurricanes blew the Brumbies away in a record-breaking 66-12 demolition.
But as the Semi-Finals arrive, roster management has reached maximum stress levels. The Casualty Ward continues to dictate terms: the Crusaders are marching on without Will Jordan (calf, season) and Scott Barrett (back, season), while the Reds’ campaign ended with late-season injuries to Seru Uru (back) and Hunter Paisami (knee) ruling them out of their trip to Hamilton.
Team of the Week
1: Ollie Norris – Prop, Chiefs (63 pts)
Norris was a tireless workhorse in the Hamilton rain. In 61 minutes, he racked up a massive 19 tackles and 28 ruck arrivals (24 in attack). Under our position-specific scoring, those dirty-work metrics are absolute fantasy gold for a front-rower.
2: Asafo Aumua – Hooker, Hurricanes (59 pts)
Returned to the Hurricanes’ front row and immediately made his presence felt. In just 43 minutes of action, Aumua broke 4 tackles and crossed the gain line 5 times, providing the massive attacking ceiling we expect from the premier hooker.
3: James Slipper – Prop, Brumbies (52 pts)
The veteran loosehead went down swinging in Wellington. Playing 68 minutes, Slipper recorded 13 tackles and 15 ruck arrivals to go with his 5 carries. A highly reliable, high-floor shift in the trenches.
4: Warner Dearns – Lock, Hurricanes (93 pts)
Player of the Round. Dearns delivered a box-office locking masterclass to destroy the Brumbies’ set-piece. Alongside a clinical brace of tries, he secured 7 lineout takes, a steal, and 24 ruck arrivals. He is currently the most dominant second-rower in the game.
5: Sam Darry – Lock, Blues (56 pts)
Darry was a relentless engine-room anchor in Christchurch. Racking up a staggering 48 ruck arrivals (44 in attack) and 14 tackles, his work-rate provided his owners with a safe scoring base despite the Blues’ exit.
6: Anton Segner – Back Row, Blues (73 pts)
The Blues newest captain led from the front with a try, 14 carries, and 35 ruck arrivals. Segner’s ability to contest the breakdown and secure 3 lineout takes makes him a premier back-row asset for his managers.
7: Christian Lio-Willie – Back Row, Crusaders (71 pts)
Lio-Willie continues his red-hot post-season form. He paired 15 tackles with 9 carries (8 over the gain line) and 2 try assists, showcasing the elite multi-category volume that wins leagues.
8: Ethan Blackadder – Back Row, Crusaders (62 pts)
Blackadder was an absolute defensive titan, making a round-high 24 tackles (3 dominant) and hitting 28 rucks. If you want a player who rewards you through pure physical grit and breakdown nuisance, he is your man.
9: Cam Roigard – Scrumhalf, Hurricanes (77 pts)
Roigard continues to justify his draft capital. He orchestrated the Canes’ record rout with a brace of tries and 77 passes, while his 378 kick metres ensured total tactical territory control.
10: Damian McKenzie – Flyhalf, Chiefs (77 pts)
Returned from concussion protocols in spectacular fashion. DMac put on a playmaking masterclass, scoring 26 individual points (2 tries, 5 conversions, 2 penalty goals) and recording 2 line-break assists to steer the Chiefs into the semi-finals.
11: Johnny McNicholl – Outside Back, Crusaders (73 pts)
Stepping into the fullback jersey in Jordan’s absence, McNicholl delivered a clinical hat-trick of tries and 2 line breaks. His 78 carry metres and 60 post-contact metres confirm he is a high-ceiling playmaker who can break a matchup wide open.
12: Leicester Fainga’anuku – Centre, Crusaders (79 pts)
Fainga’anuku was a physical wrecking ball, pairing 14 carries with a staggering 19 tackles, as he continues to thrive as a flanker. Players who contribute this much defensive grit alongside heavy carry dominance are pure fantasy gold.
13: David Havili – Centre, Crusaders (78 pts)
The captain led the Crusaders’ backline beautifully, recording a try, 2 line breaks, and 16 tackles (3 dominant). Havili’s tactical distribution and defensive grit provide a reliable scoring floor.
14: Ngantungane Punivai – Outside Back, Hurricanes (69 pts)
Talk about ultimate efficiency. Punivai played just 27 minutes off the bench but managed to bag a sensational hat-trick of tries and 2 line breaks. When a reserve outside back delivers that kind of clinical finishing, it’s a total cheat code.
15: Filipo Daugunu – Outside Back, Reds (64 pts)
Daugunu went down fighting in Hamilton, shifting to the midfield to cover Hunter Paisami’s late injury. Recording 12 carries, 13 tackles, and 4 offloads, his versatile multi-category scoring provided his owners with a safe ceiling.
Written by Harry Dale