Week Eleven: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,270,000
FR Bismarck du Plessis (SHK) - $1,157,500

LK Andries Bekker (STM) - $1, 527,500

LK Dean Mumm (WAR) - $1,115,000

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,412,500

LF Rocky Elsom (BRM) - $1,172,500

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,347,500

HV Dan Carter (CRU) - $1,120,000

CT Wynand Olivier (BUL) - $1,482,500

CT Isaia Toe'ava (BLU) - $1,177,500

OB Joe Rokocoko (BLU) - $1,262,500

OB Tim Nanai-Williams (CHF) - $590,000

Team Value: $14,645,000

Cash in Bank: $2,435,150

I rose a couple of spots last week to 11th in the world rankings. This week's team was designed to ensure that I stay thereabouts. As such, I made quite a few changes.

I brought du Plessis into the front row. He's always been a great TR performer, and now that Plumtree's appears to have stopped his frustrating rotation at hooker between Bismarck and John Smit, it seemed a good time to buy.

Despite the Waratahs team not being announced before the round locked, I gambled on Mumm being in the starting XV. He and Bekker have been the best earning locks all season by some margin.

In the halves, I gambled again. I'm not all convinced that Morne Steyn's going to return to the heroics of the early rounds against the Lions, but since the majority of players seem to have bought him (given his dramatic price rise), I decided I couldn't afford to miss out. In the other slot I've recalled Carter, hoping he'll have a big game against the Western Force.

O'Connor's late withdrawal left a centre berth to fill, and I chose Olivier - like Steyn, his opposition this week promises much, but I'll not be too surprised if his score is quite ordinary.

In the backs, I sold Ioane - thinking that the Stormers game's likely to be a low-scoring affair - and replaced him with the Chief's Tim Nanai-Williams, whose been scoring great points whenever he's started.

With myself and Skulliz Boyz in the top 20 and Pulsating Panthers close to breaking into the top 100, our league must be one of the best performers this season. Good luck everyone!