Week one has been and gone, and that means it's time for the first edition of our Super Rugby Power Rankings. No science was used whatsoever in the compilation of this dossier.
1 Brumbies
Coincidence? First game under new coach, and former legend, Stephen Larkham they wind back the clock and unleash a performance evocative of their pomp when Bernie, Gregan, Smith, Finegan et al were playing that game of possession, power and poise. A six-try 47-3 demolition of the woeful Reds was easily the performance of opening weekend, and extra bonus points for being the only home team to win. Good to see David Pocock back, and not breaking. As early markers go, a beaut.
2 Western Force
Unfashionable they might be, but the men from the wild west deserve a lofty spot on the back of sitting the defending champs on their backsides in their own backyard. It was the Sydneysiders' first home loss since late in 2013 and wasn't all down to inep-Tah-tude. The Force have been plucky for a while now – is this the year they take the step into the top tier? Further evidence required, but promising start.
3 Hurricanes
Who knew it? The Horror-canes have pluck, grit, ticker, backbone. Call it what you will, the men from the capital showed some fairly intrinsic qualities as they dug in and ground out a big opening win in Jo'burg against the Lions. Will need to show a bit more razzle-dazzle as the show rolls on, but for long-suffering Cane fans this is at least something to hang your yellow and black hat on. Nonu still to come back too!
4 Chiefs
It's a reflection of how far the (once) mighty have fallen that coach Dave Rennie reacts to a 23-18 win at the Blues by wrinkling up his face and looking like he'd just stepped in doggy-doo. "We probably won't look too fondly back on the game," said the Chiefs coach. Yes, the champs of 2012 and '13 were a bit ropey, but consider the men they were missing – Cruden, Retallick, Messam, Gear, Tameifuna, Afeaki, Nanai-Williams, Squire and Tamanivalu – and you figure that's some upside up their sleeve.
5 Cheetahs
One of six away winners on opening weekend, the Cheetahs stunned the Sharks in Durban by playing some expansive, entertaining and highly effective rugby, and going straight to the top of the South African conference. The intent has always been there, but nice to see it married with execution.
6 Stormers
Any team that unleashes the marvellous Duane Vermeulen as well as the Stormers do is worth their place in the top half of the rankings. No mean feat to drop the Bulls at Loftus, and have already exceeded some pretty low expectations.
7 Rebels
Why not higher? Knocking off last season's runnersup on their home patch for their first ever win on foreign soil is meritorious. No doubt. But the Crusaders were so bad, I'm taking points off for lack of decent opposition. Do it again and watch their stock rise.
8 Highlanders
Didn't play, so automatically had a better weekend than the next five teams…
9 Blues
Expectations are so low in New Zealand's most populous region these days, that a gallant home defeat and improved second half are actually cause for positivity. "I'm disappointed we didn't win but I'm certainly positive we're heading in the right direction," declared coach Sir John Kirwan. Got the makings of a decent pack, but the backline is greener than David Pocock.
10 Sharks
Grabbed a bonus point and showed enough in a free-flowing defeat to the Cheetahs to suggest all is not lost. Having the Lions up next at home should improve the mood in Durban.
11 Crusaders
Not much went right for the red and blacks in a horrible opener. Too lateral, timing off, soft at the breakdown and unable to hold possession, they made a pretty ordinary team look world-class. Plus, who invaded the bodies of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter? We want them back!
12 Waratahs
Oh dear. Not the sort of start new Wallabies coach Michael Cheika would have been after. Could it be they were guilty of reading their own hype? A timely reminder that a trophy in your cabinet doesn't guarantee anything.
13 Bulls
Their first defeat at Loftus Versfeld since the last-gasp semifinal loss against the Brumbies in 2013, this was the Bulls at their one-dimensional worst. Even the things they do well, they did badly.
14 Lions
Had enough ball to beat the Hurricanes twice. Just weren't good enough to do anything with it. On the evidence of this those vast, empty spaces at Ellis Park are just going to get vaster and emptier.
15 Reds
The Aussie hype machine loves to build up the big names jumping around the codes but the fact of the matter is that any team that regarded Karmichael Hunt as their saviour at No 10 was going to have some issues. Lucky to get three against a Brumbies outfit that had their way.
