Week Two: Andrew's Team

THE ORCADIANS - Facebook S14

*New buys in italics

FR Keven Mealamu (BLU) - $1,302,500
FR Tatafu Polatu-Nau (WAR) - $1,185,000

LK Kane Douglas (WAR) - $557,500
LK Andries Bekker (STM) - $1,240,000

LF Juan Smith (CHE) - $962,500
LF Liam Messam (CHF) - $1,077,500

HV Morne Steyn (BUL) - $1,337,500
HV Quade Cooper (RED) - $1,192,500

CT Robbie Coleman (BRM) - $680,000
CT Digby Ioane (RED) - $1,135,500

OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) - $1,300,000
OB Lelia Masaga (CHF) - $1,050,000

Team Value: $13,020,000
Cash in Bank: $43,750

It's hard not to make kneejerk reactions after only one round (only twenty more to go!) and I succumbed. That, combined with the cancellation of the Hurricanes vs Crusaders game, led me to make five changes. So out go Broadhurst, Spies, Lee, Nonu and Basson... I'm already having sellers remorse about losing those two Bulls players, especially Spies, but I needed the money and the Bulls have a bye in fortnight anyway.

For their replacements... At lock I chose Bekker (buying him after last week's round locked - he's already risen in value by nearly 200k) since he is certain to be one of the best earning in the position. For a new loose forward combination I chose Liam Messam - not a popular choice I grant you, but a very solid player and with the Chiefs playing the Highlanders and the Rebels over the next two weeks it seemed the right time to get him - and Juan Smith - another proven performer and, like Bekker, an opportunity to buy him on the cheap (a smidgen over 900k), now I've just got to hope that he actually plays... In the backs I brought in Robbie Coleman - a great prospect and at 600k an absolute steal - and Lelia Masaga who I think will have a point to prove after starting on the bench last week and, like Messam, facing the poor relations in two of the three conferences should have an opportunity to shine over the next couple of weeks.

Well done to themanwho for topping the league last week (and sitting in a very healthy world ranking). I'm currently fourth but hope to be higher after this weekend. We'll see... Good luck everyone!

Week Two: Kynan's Team

NO POOFTAHS - Facebook S14

FR Bismarck Du Plessis (SHK) - $1,250,000
FR Kevin Mealamu (BLU) - $1,302,500

LK Kane Douglas (WAR) - $557,500
LK Ali Williams (BLU) - $1,040,000

LF Pierre Spies (BUL) - $1,220,000
LF Ita Vaea (BRU) - $592,500

HV Berrick Barnes (WAR) - $1,175,000
HV Patrick Lambie (SHK) - $837,500

CT Cooper Vuna (REB) - $600,000
CT Robbie Coleman (BRM) - $680,000

OB Drew Mitchell (WAR) - $1,300,000
OB Gerhard van den Heever (BUL) - $920,000

Team Value: $11,475,000
Cash in Bank: $409,700


So, I cashed it all in and started a-fresh. Not really by choice - I had to ditch my Force players because who was I to guess they would have a bye in Week 2! And then the Crusaders and Hurricanes debacle saw me trade 3 more. And then I was in the swing of things, so I got rid of 2 more Mvovo and Ged. And now I am ready to rumble.


Though I do fear I have made a mistake. I should have bought some Stormers players! Bekker is a fantasy rugby god and no doubt his price will rise and rise. I have consoled myself with the rationale that this is their first game and they will be rusty... and Bekker has come off a long lay-off. 


Strangely, for a team called No Pooftahs, I seem to be accumulating a bunch of Aussies. Is this a foreboding of bad things to come later this year...