SR2017 'Power rankings'

[TRF_stormer2010]

I had a look in on some articles attempting to rank the teams in SR.

This Aussie one is a weekly round-up heading into the weekend and after 3 rounds has it at;
1 Chiefs
2 Hurricanes
3 Crusaders
4 Highlanders (up 1)
5 Lions (down 1)
6 Stormers
7 Sharks (up 1)
8 Reds (down 1)
9 Blues
10 Brumbies (up 1)
11 Force (down 1)
12 Waratahs
13 Jaguares
14 Cheetahs
15 Bulls
16 Rebels
17 Sunwolves (up 1)
18 Kings (down 1)
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/03/16/02/56/power-rankings-week-four


Then a ranking ladder less subject to opinion and based on World Rugby's points exchange ranking system but I find having its own faults (carry on from year to year means a lot of factors aren't considered and it is very slow to adjust);
1 Hurricanes
2 Chiefs
3 Lions
4 Highlanders
5 Crusaders
6 Sharks
7 Blues
8 Stormers
9 Waratahs
10 Jaguares
11 Brumbies
12 Bulls
13 Rebels
14 Cheetahs
15 Reds
16 Force
17 Kings
18 Sunwolves
http://www.lassen.co.nz/s14tab.php


I do like both though keeping in mind their flaws (as per my opinion). Waht would yours look like? My 2 cents;
1 Chiefs
2 Hurricanes
3 Lions - sure they just lost to the Jaguares but I am willing to look at the context and not penalize them too harshly
4 Crusaders
5 Highlanders
6 Stormers
7 Sharks - I have them below us with Lambie out
8 Blues - can beat anyone on their day but seem to still have a lack of direction in key positions
9 Reds - look dangerous enough if not looking like threatening to break into the top 3.
10 Jaguares - because I'd rather face the Waratahs and Brumbies but I find it difficult trying to position the Blues, Jaguares and top three Aussie teams
11 Brumbies
12 Waratahs - well the Waratahs have had to travel but the Brumbies are looking like improving to me. Very close between these two. Maybe if the 'Tahs get Foley back I'd be inclined to bump them up.
13 Cheetahs - might swap them with the Force but I feel if they can get their best back they'll be a better side and are tougher to beat at home than the Force
14 Force
15 Bulls - I don't think the Bulls or Rebels are poor teams but they are struggling for identity and balance IMO. Are a team that can turn it around (not pushing for the ***le but should be able to climb to mid table if they can step up) and its a long season still
16 Rebels
17 Kings
18 Sunwolves - well, its between them and the Kings and the Kings did beat them in their own backyard. That about settles it for me.

- - - Updated - - -

Then of course there is the actual log;

[TABLE="class: da-lt-table tablesorter, width: 1028"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

Chiefs (NZC1)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]91[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]59[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]32[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]14[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Stormers (AF1)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]110[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]59[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]51[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]13[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Sharks (AF2)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]90[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]64[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]26[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Brumbies (AC1)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]60[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]61[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]6[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Crusaders (WC)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]69[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]60[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]12[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Hurricanes (WC)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]172[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]49[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]123[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]10[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Jaguares (WC)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]100[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]82[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]18[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Blues (WC)[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]94[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]75[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]19[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]6[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Lions[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]107[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]97[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Cheetahs[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]97[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]87[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Reds[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]67[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]74[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-7[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]6[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Force[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]56[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]63[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-7[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Highlanders[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]13[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]58[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]66[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-8[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Southern Kings[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]73[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]103[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-30[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Waratahs[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]15[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]69[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]105[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-36[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Bulls[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]16[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]52[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]71[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-19[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Sunwolves[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]17[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]71[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]158[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-87[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Rebels[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]18[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]24[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]127[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-2, align: center"]-103[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-3, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: da-lt-visibility-1, align: center"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[Makos]

Last season we saw the same start from the Chiefs, only to see them fade and beaten in the quarter final play-off vs the Highlanders and I strongly believe they would lose to the Canes in good conditions, especially in Wellington and later in the season. Hurricanes this time last season lost their first two games as well. I think their first game was like 60-10 vs the Brumbies or something..

I also think the Highlanders are far better than the Crusaders regardless of that loss in Dunedin due to a stupid yellow card and Sopoaga's brain exploding.

I'll come back to this later in the season, too early to say.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

My take

1-3 - Hurricanes, Chiefs & Lions. Depending on home ground, conditions and how the wake up that day.
4-5 - Highlanders, Crusaders
6-8 - Blues, Stormers, Sharks
9-11 - Reds, Brumbies, Jaguares
12-14 - Cheetahs, Bulls
15-16 - Rebels, Force
17-18 - Kings, SunWolves

Some of the lines are blurry and other factors should be take into account, but overall, the above is how i'd rank them. The only one that makes me second guess my picks is the Sharks.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Last season we saw the same start from the Chiefs, only to see them fade and beaten in the quarter final play-off vs the Highlanders and I strongly believe they would lose to the Canes in good conditions, especially in Wellington and later in the season. Hurricanes this time last season lost their first two games as well. I think their first game was like 60-10 vs the Brumbies or something..

I also think the Highlanders are far better than the Crusaders regardless of that loss in Dunedin due to a stupid yellow card and Sopoaga's brain exploding.

I'll come back to this later in the season, too early to say.

Fair enough. Like you said its early days yet. My idea is to revisit these after every 3 rounds.

My take

1-3 - Hurricanes, Chiefs & Lions. Depending on home ground, conditions and how the wake up that day.
4-5 - Highlanders, Crusaders
6-8 - Blues, Stormers, Sharks
9-11 - Reds, Brumbies, Jaguares
12-14 - Cheetahs, Bulls
15-16 - Rebels, Force
17-18 - Kings, SunWolves

Some of the lines are blurry and other factors should be take into account, but overall, the above is how i'd rank them. The only one that makes me second guess my picks is the Sharks.

The numbers say you are throwing the Waratahs (not mentioned) in with the Bulls and Cheetahs?

I'm with you for the main. Sharks and Stormers both are question marks for me. I've seen both have good starts only to fall the 2nd halve of the tourney and v. v.

'Tahs, Bulls and Jaguares are also ones I struggle to peg. All 'should' be there r thereabouts on paper but for inconsistencies.

I expect the Blues will be low on the log at least from here on out but that is in large part due to the conference setup and playing fellow NZ sides twice. If all was a level playing field they'd be in the top half I expect.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Yes, thank you!
Tahs with Bulls and Cheetahs.

Actually, i should just bundle those two tiers into one

9-14 Reds, Brumbies, Tahs, Jaguares, Cheetahs and Bulls.

At this point, who the **** knows to be honest.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yes, thank you!
Tahs with Bulls and Cheetahs.

Actually, i should just bundle those two tiers into one

9-14 Reds, Brumbies, Tahs, Jaguares, Cheetahs and Bulls.

At this point, who the **** knows to be honest.

LOL yeah that's about the long and short of it.

 

[saulan]

I'm still uncertain about the Lions at the moment, I think they may be more in line with 6-8 than 1-3, but it's quite difficult to judge at the moment because of the limited games played at this point. But the Lions were run close by the Cheetahs, looked rusty in some regards against what is shaping up to be a weak Waratahs team and then made poor team selection decisions against the Jaguares away (again). Very difficult to measure them up.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

1 Hurricanes - Lost to the Chiefs I know, but those were trecherous conditions and a very off day. Still easily the most dangerous team in the comp, and outright favourites imo.
2 Chiefs - Superb start, look to be gelling very well and have a well balanced team. Definitely up there with the Canes as early favourites.
3 Crusaders - Despite being injury hit they're finding ways to win and are playing some good, smart rugby in the process. History would suggest they're only going to get better too.
4 Lions - Look to have fallen off a bit. Bad loss to the Jags and shady win over the Cheetahs. Still, early days and we know how good they are, or at least can be.
5 Highlanders - They're a good side and will always be competitive. Unfortunately on a downwards trend though with not too much strike power, and hit hard by injuries.
6 Stormers - Looking quite sharp, early days still though.
7 Blues - Unfortunate to have such a tough draw with the conference set up. Still a lot to sort out, but they have as much fire power as anyone and are still a very strong side.
8 Jaguares - Have genuinely impressed me so far. At the start of the season I thought they would be the dark horse, and it's starting to look like I was right.
9 Sharks - Not too sure what to make of them as yet. Good side though.
10 Reds - Best looking Aussie team so far (not saying much lol.)
11 Waratahs - Very solid team on paper, not playing as well as they should be. Still a good side.
12 Brumbies - Same as the 'Tahs.
13 Bulls - Under-performers of the comp so far imo.
14 Cheetahs - Doing OK, not gonna be contenders but will at least be somewhat tough to beat at home.
15 Force - Not playing bad for what they have, just don't have the personnel to be threatening.
16 Rebels - Tough draw to start off but they have been poor.
17 Kings - Lucky they have the Sunwolves to take the wooden spoon lol.
18 Sunwolves - Not much really needs to be said does it. Cool to have them in the comp, but they're clearly the worst team.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Looking at the same links as after week 3 here is how it stands at week 6 (week 3 in brackets);

1 Chiefs (same)
2 Crusaders (3)
3 Hurricanes (2)
4 Highlanders (5)
5 Lions (4)
6 Stormers (same)
7 Sharks (same)
8 Blues (9)
9 Brumbies (10)
10 Jaguares (13)
11 Waratahs (12)
12 Reds (8)
13 Force (11)
14 Bulls (15)
15 Rebels (16)
16 Cheetahs (14)
17 Kings (18)
18 Sunwolves (17)
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/04/06/05/31/power-rankings-week-seven


1 Hurricanes (same)
2 Chiefs (same)
3 Crusaders (5)
4 Highlanders (same)
5 Lions (3)
6 Sharks (same)
7 Blues (same)
8 Stormers (same)
9 Brumbies (11)
10 Jaguares (same)
11 Waratahs (9)
12 Bulls (same)
13 Rebels (same)
14 Cheetahs (same)
15 Reds (same)
16 Force (same)
17 Kings (same)
18 Sunwolves (same)
http://www.lassen.co.nz/s14tab.php

So little movement other than the Brumbies and Waratahs swapping places after the Waratahs' loss. Lions dropped big points against the Jaguares while there were points on offer for the Crusaders with the 'Tahs are still on points slowly slipping.

My own summary;

1 Chiefs
2 Hurricanes
3 Crusaders
4 Lions (I just think the Highanders would struggle more at Jo'burg than vice versa)
5 Highanders
Can see any of these teams take points off each other depending on form on the day and home advanatge.

6 Sharks
7 Stormers (TBH we just havn't been tested as thoroughly yet but will have opportunities aplenty in the coming weeks to move up, down or up and down)
8 Blues
9 Waratahs (I feel for them. A place them here assuming Foley who is now back stays fit and adds what he usually does)
10 Jaguares
11 Brumbies
Can see any of these teams take points off each other depending on form on the day and home advanatge.

12 Reds (Reds, Bulls, Force and Cheetahs are IMO the big disappointments so far for the season)
13 Bulls

14 Force
15 Cheetahs
16 Rebels
17 Kings
18 Sunwolves
This band might as well all get cut IMO. Add very little to the comp. Personally I'm hoping we lose Kings, Force and Sunwolves. The Cheetahs are a very important franchize for SA IMO.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

So basically you wanna cut just enough teams to make the bulls last the in list.
Got it.

 

[Ground We Won]

The Bulls and Jags are not below the Waratahs

I think the Blues would surprise you as well and beat the Stormers & Sharks in a aggregate H/A header.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

So basically you wanna cut just enough teams to make the bulls last the list.
Got it.

LOL, a happy coincidence. I think the Bulls and Reds despite there current log positions and single wins have the operating infrastructure, fanbase, history and even current squads to make it if not for small margins and a lack of identity/style. Lets face it everyone sees the bottom 5 teams as log point cows and we're amazed every time one of them beat a top side. I feel a two tier competition is the way forward.

The Bulls and Jags are not below the Waratahs

I think the Blues would surprise you as well and beat the Stormers & Sharks in a aggregate H/A header.

I also feel I have the 'Tahs higher than they deserve currently but am adding a bit of crystal balling to my personal rankings. That's just how much Foley has meant to the 'Tahs recently while the SBW at the Blues is still out to be tested. I am sure if it lives up to half the hype the Blues will be hella tough.

As for the Blues v Stormers we'll see soon enough and I do state I see the home team as favorites. Granted this Blues side looks a lot more handy than past years but I just can't help thinking back over the years and thinking the Stormers have the Blues' number or thinking at least its not the Crusaders/Chiefs/'Canes and more recently Highlanders (apart from the Blues' early glory days of course).

Either of you fella's or others just passing through care to put forward your own rankings and we can see what it averages out too?

 

[Ground We Won]

Either of you fella's or others just passing through care to put forward your own rankings and we can see what it averages out too?

Good explanations & are fair. I'll give it a shot, pardon any bias that occurs.

1.Hurricanes
2.Chiefs
3.Crusaders
4.Lions (would be 3rd if they didn't lose that game to the Jags.)
5.Highlanders
6.Blues
7.Sharks
8.Stormers
9.Jaguars
10.Brumbies
11.Bulls
12.Waratahs
13.Reds
14.Force
15.Cheetahs
16.Rebels
17.Kings
18.Sunwolves

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Good explanations & are fair. I'll give it a shot, pardon any bias that occurs.

1.Hurricanes
2.Chiefs
3.Crusaders
4.Lions (would be 3rd if they didn't lose that game to the Jags.)
5.Highlanders
6.Blues
7.Sharks
8.Stormers
9.Jaguars
10.Brumbies
11.Bulls
12.Waratahs
13.Reds
14.Force
15.Cheetahs
16.Rebels
17.Kings
18.Sunwolves

Bias is natural and in a lot of places the margins are so small position 6 might as well be equal to position 9 so we are bound to have slight differences. That's why I ask for stabs at it so we can maybe see how 'fair/objective' (stretching the meaning of objective here!) the average comes out too.

+1 for your contribution. Looks fair to me.

 

[TRF_heineken]

LOL, a happy coincidence. I think the Bulls and Reds despite there current log positions and single wins have the operating infrastructure, fanbase, history and even current squads to make it if not for small margins and a lack of identity/style. Lets face it everyone sees the bottom 5 teams as log point cows and we're amazed every time one of them beat a top side. I feel a two tier competition is the way forward.



I also feel I have the 'Tahs higher than they deserve currently but am adding a bit of crystal balling to my personal rankings. That's just how much Foley has meant to the 'Tahs recently while the SBW at the Blues is still out to be tested. I am sure if it lives up to half the hype the Blues will be hella tough.

As for the Blues v Stormers we'll see soon enough and I do state I see the home team as favorites. Granted this Blues side looks a lot more handy than past years but I just can't help thinking back over the years and thinking the Stormers have the Blues' number or thinking at least its not the Crusaders/Chiefs/'Canes and more recently Highlanders (apart from the Blues' early glory days of course).

Either of you fella's or others just passing through care to put forward your own rankings and we can see what it averages out too?

Everyone seems to forget that the Bulls have only had 1 home game so far after 7 rounds. Which is the least of all the teams. And their single home game provided them with a win. I'm sure after this coming weekend (their last match on tour in Japan), they will jump a bit higher on the log...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Everyone seems to forget that the Bulls have only had 1 home game so far after 7 rounds. Which is the least of all the teams. And their single home game provided them with a win. I'm sure after this coming weekend (their last match on tour in Japan), they will jump a bit higher on the log...

That is very true but by the same token that win was a labored one against the Sunwolves. Its also not as if all the remaining fixtures are easy wins. You have to host quite a few teams ranked higher. While the Bulls will surely end mid table I can't see them get into the play-offs ahead of the teams in SA conference 2 who don't face any NZ sides so that only leaves dethroning the Stormers for SA 1. We have a worse schedule than you on the whole even if our start has been easier. If we go from 5/0 to 5/5 in the next 5 weeks (very possible!) then the picture is of course a whole lot different. We'll have to wait and see though and accept that these rankings are just snapshots of current expectations. Care to post your own?

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Everyone seems to forget that the Bulls have only had 1 home game so far after 7 rounds. Which is the least of all the teams. And their single home game provided them with a win.

I honestly don't think i forgot a thing. I see the your past performance, look at the schedule for the remainder of the competition and arrive to a radically different conclusion.
That home win that fills you with confidence was against the Sunwolves, the worst team in the competition. I wouldn't extrapolate too much from that.
And your post suggest that your performance so far is missleading given the amount of away games you've had. What you do not mention is that your future doesn't look that bright schedule wise. Highlights being:
Crusaders, Highlanders, Lions (away), Hurricanes, Sharks (away), Stormers.

Having said that, Jaguares are still a huge question mark for me. We havent been tested (Stormers were the only game we weren't favourites). It is perfectly possible for us to lose to the Sharks, Bulls and Lions and implode after that.

 

[saulan]

I'll have a bash.


1.Hurricanes
2.Chiefs
3.Crusaders
4.Lions
5.Highlanders
6.Blues
7.Stormers

8.Sharks
9.Jaguars
10.Brumbies

11.Bulls
12.Waratahs
13.Reds
14.Force
15.Cheetahs
16.Rebels
17.Kings
18.Sunwolves

On inspection it's pretty much the same list that Ground we won presented, only with my bias switching the Sharks and Stormers around. I would have liked to pushed the Waratahs lower, because they have been the biggest disappointment and have not rocked up this season, but that only proved to me how many other bad teams we have in the tournament at the moment. I feel for the Cheetahs though, they were doing well at the beginning of the season, but injuries and a lack of depth destroyed them.

I'm tempted to move the Jaguares above the Stormers, but they haven't really been tested. I expect them to win all of their home matches this season, and see them as definite quarter finalists.

Sharks have been better without Lambie in my view, it may be that they have just gelled better over time and coincidental, but still think they are better now than the start of the season.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Are the Hurricanes that good or the Waratahs that poor? I can't tell.

Edit; Tahs coming back strong. Too late though. A little bit more accuracy from the Tahs and a bit of luck could have seen them though actually. That 10 point margin not reflective of the game on the whole. Still a win for the Hurricanes and another loss for the Tahs but still I feel somewhat justified in having placed the Tahs where I have.

 

[Ground We Won]

Hey Stormers, looks like you were right about the Bulls and the Waratahs. Also after this weeks results, how do you think that's changed things? The Stormers vs The Lions sure becomes a huge fixture now, it should be a really good entertaining match, both teams are capable of playing really good attacking rugby.