I've never done plugs so I can't really say. But I've played with the idea so I thought I'd give you my idea. If I did do it I think a battery powered drill with a side handle and a auger bit that is used for planting bulbs would be a fast way to do this.

 

By new ground do you mean soft tilled soil? If so you could drop the plug and step on it most likely.

If hard how will you be I stalling the plugs? Have a plugger?

I have a plugger tool that I step on and it removes a core and I can move plugs from thick spots to thin spots. I can move a lot at a pretty fast pace. Maybe 10 plugs per 2-3 minutes?

Just make sure they are watered frequently.

 

Did you take a soil test to make sure the Ph will be correct for the plantings?. If yes than good for you, if no don't plant until you know for sure. Having the proper ph for your soil in the first place is important enough.
Adding soil amends before the planting of any material is priceless, provides a better chance of success and survival. I have used a 1/2" power drill and a small hurricane anchor for planting plugs here in SW Florida I can plug a large wheel barrel load of cut plugs in and hour by my self. I have also done 50 trays in 8 hours
That amount of plugs covered 5K spaced 24" OC. Flortam sod.

easy-lift guy