Board predictions - Super Rugby

I am going to ignore the stupid conference system or else this will get too complicated, but lets have your predictions on the overall standings based on points only. 

1. Chiefs2. Highlanders3. Waratahs4. Blues5. Crusaders6. Brumbies7. Lions8. Hurricanes9. Los Jaguares10. Stormers11. Sharks12. Bulls13. Reds14. Force15. Cheetahs16. Rebels17. Sunwolves18. Kings
Some of my logic: 
1) Lions are my top SA team that although lacking big stars, has probably the best continuity in the competition! Also, assuming he has not just been a flash in the pan, a clever and innovative coach. 
2) SA does not have enough talent (On our shores anyway) to supply 6 Super Rugby teams with quality players . Hence my prediction of our poor showing in the tournament. Add to that our politics and.....
3) NZ would probably have 5 teams in the top 6, but the conference system is gonna screw them over.
4) Top two Aus teams will be relatively strong, but the rest are on par with the SA teams. 
5) Los Jaguares are very difficult to place...I expect them to start well, but to fade as the season marches on.   

 It is very early days to make that kind of prediction.  You have no idea of the impact of departures in New Zealand and Australia from the game and the pre-season games are for a variety of reasons not real evidence of what will happen.
I for instance would say that the bottom might just have fallen out for the Chiefs and the Blues may be very strong this year.  
I think that we should wait with that kind o f prediction until after round 3 of the tournament.  
You are clearly a person who knows his rugby - why don't  you join our League on Foxsport? 

1. Hurricanes
2. Highlanders
3. Waratahs
4. Chiefs
5. Brumbies
6. Storm ers
7. Jaguares
8. Blues
9. Lions
10 Bulls
11 Crusaders
12 Reds
13 Sharks
14 Force
15 Rebels
16 Cheetahs
17 Kings
18 Sunwolves

The Hurricanes were the best team last year and I reckon they were a bit unlucky to lose to a motivated Highlanders team in the final. Even if they don't win it this year, I don't think the team has changed so much that they'll suddenly slip to last in the NZ conference which is where you have them.

Like you, I have no idea where to put the Jaguares and I won't be at all surprised if they finish top 3 or even win the thing.

The Lions may well be a stronger team than the Stormers but there's no question the Stormers (and the Bulls) have a much easier draw than the Lions and the Sharks.

As you can see, I don't have high expectations for the Sharks this season but I will be supporting them as passionately as ever and I really hope I'm wrong about their prospects.

 instead, I'm going to make my predictions based on the conferences.

- Anything can happen in the NZ conference,... anyone can win,... even the saders (if they win on saturday they'll be the first at the end but if they lose, and I'm afraid they are going to lose, they'll be fighting to avoid the conference's wooden spoon).

- The aussie conference will be:

1. Waratahs
2. Brumbies
3. Rebels
4. Reds
5. Force

- One of the SA conference:

1. Stormers
2. Bulls
3. Cheetahs
4. Sunwolves

- The other one:

1. Los Jaguares
2. Lions
3. Sharks
4. Kings

The Kings and Sunwolves are going to lose all their matches (except the one they play each other).

Los Jaguares will head the whole SA group (both SA conferences) and very probably the overall log. It will be btwin them and the first kiwi team but the Jaguares have a much easier calendar in the SA conf. playing twice the Kings and once the Sunwolves and cheetahs, e.g.

The Lions and Bulls will fight for the third place for the finals, the other being for Stormers and Jaguares. In the other group the Waratahs and 4 kiwi teams will go to the finals.

Both SA teams will lose their QF and the final will be btwin los Jaguares and a kiwi team (it's also possible but less probable in my view an all-kiwi final)

 Basq, good summary,  but the SR season is quite long and lots can and normally does happen. Never say never.

 Well said Draad. One only gets asense how strong teams are after about the third round. Even then injuries and biased reffing can sink a team.
We are up against it for sure. VArious factors are decimating our rugby.But hope springs eternal in the SA fan!