With the 2022 Autumn Nations Series now in full swing, Fantasy Rugby is also fully underway and we have taken a deep dive for five steals ahead of Round 2.
It is easy to play it safe and pick the most highly sought-after options, but if Round 1 taught us anything it is to always expect the unexpected.
Here are five players who have flown under the radar and can save you some much-needed stars for elsewhere.
1. Jock Campbell (Australia) 11.3 stars
In just his second cap for the Wallabies Campbell looked right at home at full-back, starring in attack and scoring his maiden Test try.
With Australia playing Italy this weekend, a side Dave Rennie’s men have never lost to, there is a real opportunity for significant points from Campbell again.
The 27-year-old full-back’s searing speed helps him to pick up easy metres, while as shown at the Stade de France, he knows exactly where the try line is. At a relatively
Costing just 11.3 stars, Campbell could be looking at significant points – with away teams earning double points as well as points from metres made and possible tries.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand) 13.3 stars
It is incredible that Taukei’aho has managed to slip so many people’s teams given his incredible form in the Rugby Championship – where he was the top try scorer.
The hooker came on as a replacement in the 55-23 win over Wales in Cardiff and continued that form on as he scored yet another All Blacks try – rewarding those managers who gave him super sub status.
New Zealand visit Scotland on Sunday having looked more like the All Blacks of old last weekend, and they will be looking to keep up their record of never losing at the hands of Ian Foster’s men.
3. Will Rowlands (Wales) 11.9 stars
The weekend did not go as planned for Wales when falling a long way short against the All Blacks, but Will Rowlands continues to be underrated, and despite making the second-row jersey his own, he is still valued at less than 12 stars.
A second row who is just as capable with the ball as without it, Rowlands made a solid 38 metres from 10 carries on Saturday, and 16 tackles, beaten by only Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.
Those stats make him a very clear option to make a lot of points against Argentina this weekend, and with second row a notoriously difficult position to select on fantasy rugby, Rowlands definitely looks like an excellent pick for Round 2.
4. Santiago Carreras (Argentina) 14 stars
Argentina’s fly-half at Twickenham, Carreras is a back-three option on fantasy rugby which perhaps makes him even more of an overlooked option.
Plying his club trade as a winger at Gloucester, Carreras showed his extreme speed when racing in a try following Owen Farrell’s misplaced pass.
Although it is Emiliano Boffelli who kicks the goals for Michael Cheika’s men – Carreras did take one shot at goal which drifted wide – the fly-half will surely pick up more points against Wales this weekend.
5. Takuya Yamasawa (Japan) 11 stars
Japan open their Autumn Nations Series campaign this weekend against England, and after pushing New Zealand all the way just a fortnight ago, will be confident they can go toe to toe with Eddie Jones’ side.
Yamasawa was the star of the show for the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo, which eventually saw the All Blacks prevail 38-31, scoring a try, two conversions and a penalty.
Costing a measly 11 stars, Yamasawa could be one of the surprise packages of the weekend, with Jamie Joseph hoping to steer his side to an historic win over the Red Rose at Twickenham and complete a stellar year for Japanese rugby.
