Week One: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,160,500
FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,140,250

LK Kane Douglas (WAR) - $505,500
LK James Broadhurst (HUR) - $700,250

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,180,500
LF Fritz Lee (CHF) - $530,000

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,197,750
HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,170,750

CT Ma'a Nonu (HUR) - $1,190,000
CT Digby Ioane (RED) - $1,155,500

OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) - $1,150,250
OB Bjorn Basson (BUL) - $880,000

Team Value: $11,961,250
Cash in Bank: $38,750

Did anyone else feel spoiled for choice this time around? More players in form and more bargain-priced newcomers made the start to the new season less of a financial struggle than usual.

Up front I've gone for two of the most reliable performers - Polatu-Nau and Mealamu - but I could easily have picked from a handful of others - du Plessis, Hore, Moore et al - and I suspect there won't be much separating the top five or six performers.

Locks are traditionally the lowest scoring position in Test Rugby, and a good place to cut corners at the start of a competition. As such, I chose bargain bin starters Broadhurst and Douglas. They won't make as much some others - with Horwill in the backrow this week I suspect he'll top the scoring - but they'll earn me something.

I've gone for two opposites in the loosies, one proven performer and one unknown quantity: Pierre Spies is a legendary TR points machine, while the much heralded Fritz Lee has yet to prove himself at this level but if he lives up to the hype could be a good earner.

I spent big in the halves on Steyn and Cooper. I expect both the Bulls and Reds to start strongly against inferior teams and these playmakers and place kickers should rack up the points.

In the centres I was spoiled for choice but eventually plumped for Nonu and Ioane, two devastating players with a track record as big TR performers. I came close to fielding code-convert Cooper Vuna after his amazing try-scoring preseason form... hopefully I won't regret leaving him out.

I feel as if I could have picked any combination of about 20 outside backs and I'd have been pretty happy - Gear, Sivivatu, Muliaina, van den Heever, Beale, Dagg, Smith - the list of talented individuals seems endless - but after a lot of prevaricating I chose Mitchell and Basson. Again, I expect their respective teams to dominate this weekend and feel confident of a try (or two) from both players.

It's sure to be an exciting competition this year, on the field and in the Test Rugby arena. Let battle commence!

Good luck everyone!