Fantasy Super Rugby: Round 18 Preview

Highlanders star Malakai Fekitoa has been ruled out of this weekend's action and could be one of several stars in cotton wool ahead of the playoffs and the World Cup. Photo / Getty Images.

The final round of the Super Rugby regular season heralds a distinct change in tactics for fantasy coaches ahead of the playoffs.

It is most likely that this weekend is the last round your squad will have some semblance of uniqueness about it. Because of this, it is also your last chance to roll the dice, exploit this distinctiveness, and make some ground on your closest rivals.

Next week the playoffs begin and, with it, an almost full reset of squads for fantasy coaches. Don't bother trying to plan your transfers based on teams that may be playing next weekend, as all coaches will have unlimited trades once Round 18 has been processed.

At this point we will all be back on a level playing field, with only those who have made big profits from mid-season trades having some advantage over their rivals due to their purchasing power.

However, there are still some good reasons to take care with your four available trades this round.

Firstly, the Lions are on a bye so we also say goodbye to some top fantasy performers in Jaco Kriel (31.6ppg), Elton Jantjies (31.5ppg) and Warren Whiteley (25.88ppg) who can all now be dropped from squads.

Secondly, teams are in a constant state of flux at this time of the season. International players are receiving extra rest, playoff-bound sides are being cautious with their stars, while teams out of contention are blooding new stock. Monitor team announcements carefully.

This week's fixtures look like they've provided great match-ups for Highlanders, Waratahs, Bulls and Stormers players.

Fortunately, three of those clubs are playoff-bound and so you can use transfers this week to help give you a better picture of what your squad will look like next week.

From those clubs, below are some players owned by under 10% of coaches that, if starting, could provide you a final point of difference this season.

Adam Ashley-Cooper, Waratahs, $144,500, CTW
Ashley-Cooper has found consistent form over the past four weeks and should be solid again against the Reds.

Nizaam Carr, Stormers, $78,200, BRF
When given the chance to play good minutes, Carr has delivered for fantasy owners this season and is averaging over 30ppg in his last three games.

Alex Ainley, Highlanders, $72,700, 2RF
He's made just four appearances this season but has been busy enough in each to give him the fifth-best average of all second rowers over the past three weeks.

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On the bench:
James Parsons, Blues (benched)
Will Lloyd, Blues (benched)
Jimmy Cowan, Blues (benched)
Matt Vaega, Blues (dropped)
Airi Hunt, Blues (dropped)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Blues (out for season)
Lappies Labuschagne, Bulls (rested)
Victor Matfield, Bulls (rested)
Callie Visagie, Bulls (benched)
Dean Greyling, Bulls (rested)
Tienie Burger, Cheetahs (dropped)
Coenie van Wyk, Cheetahs (benched)
Cornal Hendricks, Cheetahs (dropped)
Mitchell Graham, Chiefs (dropped)
Michael Fitzgerald, Chiefs (benched)
Sam Cane, Chiefs (rested)
Augustine Pulu, Chiefs (benched)
Tim Nanai-Williams, Chiefs (rested)
Andrew Horrell, Chiefs (benched)
Hika Elliot, Chiefs (rested)
Siate Tokolahi, Chiefs (benched)
Dominic Bird, Crusaders (dropped)
Jordan Taufua, Crusaders (benched)
Mitchell Drummond, Crusaders (dropped)
Nafi Tuitavake, Crusaders (benched)
Robbie Fruean, Crusaders (out for season)
Ben McCalman, Force (out for season)
Guy Millar, Force (benched)
Steve Mafi, Force (benched)
Malakai Fekitoa, Highlanders (out 1-2 weeks)
Tom Franklin, Highlanders (out for season)
Gareth Evans, Highlanders (benched)
Fumiaki Tanaka, Highlanders (benched)
Ryan Tongia, Highlanders (dropped)
Jason Emery, Highlanders (out for season)
Marty Banks, Highlanders (benched)
Brendon Edmonds, Highlanders (benched)
Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes (out 1-2 weeks)
Ardie Savea, Hurricanes (benched)
Blade Thomson, Hurricanes (out 1-2 weeks)
James Broadhurst, Hurricanes (benched)
Chris Feauai-Sautia, Reds (benched)
Ryan Kankowski, Sharks (moved to Japan)
Mouritz Botha, Sharks (out for season)
Duane Vermeulen, Stormers (out 1-2 weeks)
Cheslin Kolbe, Stormers (rested)
Dillyn Leyds, Stormers (rested)
Juan de Jongh, Stormers, (rested)
Damian de Allende, Stormers (rested)
Seabelo Senatla, Stormers (benched)
Demetri Catrakilis, Stormers (rested)
Nic Groom, Stormers (rested)
Siya Kolisi, Stormers (benched)
Schalk Burger, Stormers (rested)
Manuel Carizza, Stormers (rested)
Eben Etzebeth, Stormers (rested)
Frans Malherbe, Stormers (rested)
Bongi Mbonambi, Stormers (rested)
Steven Kitshoff, Stormers (rested)
Hugh Roach, Waratahs (benched)
Mitchell Chapman, Waratahs (benched)

Top pick:
Israel Folau, Waratahs

Cheap pickups:
Alex Ainley, Highlanders
Cam Crawford, Rebels
Nizaam Carr, Stormers
Liam Messam, Chiefs