Week Three: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Saia Faingaa (AUS) - $667,500
FR Gurthro Steenkamp (SAF) - $817,500

LK Nathan Sharpe (AUS) - $1,207,500
LK Victor Matfield (SAF) - $1,182,500

LF Rocky Elsom (AUS) - $1,210,000
LF David Pocock (AUS) - $1,032,500

HV Quade Cooper (AUS) - $1,300,000
HV Morne Steyn (SAF) - $1,235,000

CT Matt Giteau (AUS) - $1,310,000
CT Wynand Olivier (SAF) - $1,167,500

OB James O'Connor (AUS) - $1,192,500
OB Gio Aplon (SAF) - $682,500

Team Value: $13,005,000
Cash in Bank: $1,213,350

I held onto top spot in the league last week, but slipped a little in the world rankings - from 16th to 19th. Wholesale changes were required this week with the culling of my All Blacks. Since they comprised nearly my whole team, my trades are getting worryingly low but, barring injury, I should make it through next week okay.

Without the trades to swap Steenkamp for Smit, I'm stuck with the prop for one more week, not that he's been a bad performer by any means, but he's never going to get the average score of a hooker. In the other slot, Faingaa was ridiculously cheap when the team was announced, and, despite a price rise, is still an absolute steal, though I have a nagging feeling that Robinson might out score him.

Nathan Sharpe's probably the most reliably scoring lock in the competition and I'll always purchase him when he plays.

Rocky Elsom is the essential Wallaby loosie. He was second only to Spies as the best average scorer for this position in last year's competition. In the other spot, I picked Pocock, hoping that the Boks tactical blunder of dropping Louw for Kankowski will allow the Wallaby scrapper to have an edge at the breakdown and win a few turnovers.

In the halves, I replaced Carter with Cooper, which seems like the obvious choice, though scrum-halves have been regularly (and unexpectedly) outscoring fly-halves in the tournament so far and I wouldn't be surprised to see Genia as the top scorer in the position this week. I'd have loved to drop Steyn for the Wallaby scrum-half, but my scarcity of trades made it impossible.

With two All Black centres to replace, I chose Giteau, who despite a dip in form of late, is the designated kicker for the Wallabies and has at least the potential to score big. Beside him, I picked Olivier with a little reluctance. Though clearly an inferior player on the field to Fourie, he seems to (inexplicably) have the edge in testrugby points.

For the backs, I went for O'Connor, who I feel certain, even when playing on the wing rather than fullback, will end as one of the best average scorers in this position. In the other slot, I plumped for Aplon, who has impressed in his cameo appearances so far and could score well, if he gets the ball... which, based on the Bok performances thus far, is a big if.

Remember, this weekend sees the last Springbok game for a couple of weeks, so sell your Boks and buy some certain starters from the All Blacks when the round locks.

Good luck everyone!