Super Rugby Round 2
 

What home advantage? The home teams won 1 and lost 6. Also, there were 4 upsets in 7 games. That's why I always suggest being very conservative for the first 3 or 4 weeks. The ratings have to adjust for changes since last season and also to any early season oddities like 6 home losses in 7 games.

That Crusaders-Blues game was as awesome as we thought!

Ray Stefani

And pretty dramatic with Harry Plummer missing two late shots at goal
Still,,some good value if you took the Blues with a bit of start

Super Rugby Round 3
 

I was curious to see how the Blues would perform after a great showing against the Crusaders last week, when they gained 7 rating points., making them a converted try better than last season. Still, I favoured the Sharks in Round 2 while the bookmakers took the Blues. The Sharks won 27-12, so maybe the Blues still have a ways to go. We'll see against the Jaguars whom I favour by 7 at home in Round 3.

Cheers,

Ray

The Blues were a bit disappointing Ray,,perhaps a bit flat after last weeks effort
But they didn't play that badly & I thought the final score flattered the home side

Yeah,,watching that game now Ray
Jaguars leading 11-9 half time :(

Super Rugby Round 4
 

Here are the biggest movers after three rounds, compared to last year's final ratings. The Bulls gained 11.9 rating points followed by the Reds (8.5), Blues (6.6), Rebels (6.5) and Sunwolves (6.1,) who beat the Chiefs, paying 10.00 to Sunwolves supporters brave enough to support them at Chiefs. At the other end, the Chiefs have dropped 23.9 rating points and are now bottom for ratings and bottom in the combined Super Rugby table. Dropping that many rating points must be some sort of record in futility.

Let’s see what Round 4 has in store. The improved Blues host the improved Sunwolves.

Good luck,

Ray Stefani

Super Rugby Round 5
 

I always suggest that it takes 3 or 4 weeks for the ratings to adjust. After 3 weeks, my favourites just barely had a winning record and the home teams had a losing record. Round 4 showed that ratings had adjusted. All 7 of my favourites won and all 7 home teams won. Looks like we are on our way.

Good luck with Round 5,

Ray Stefani

Blues finally on the board
Rieko Ioane (four tries) inspired the Blues to much-needed victory

Well done Ray

Super Rugby winner
Crusaders now in the red with most bookies