SA teams big movers in Super 12 ratings

Media Release – March 2

Australian, SA teams big movers in Super 12 ratings after latest round

The Waratahs, the Stormers and the Bulls were main movers up the Super 12 rugby ratings after round two.

Sizeable home advantage gains this week have also been made by the Hurricanes (up 9.6), Bulls (up 8.6), Highlanders (up 6.7) and Waratahs (up 6.0).

The Super 12 team ratings and home advantages are prepared each week by Massey University associate professor Hugh Morton.

Home advantage losses were felt by the Crusaders (down 8.5) and the Blues (down 7.2). Offsetting these, the Crusaders lifted their rating by 8.1 and the Blues by 4.1, so both teams come away with a small net loss.

Offsetting the Hurricanes and Highlanders home advantage gains, both dropped their ratings -- the Highlanders down by 4.9 and the Hurricanes down by 4.1, with both teams coming away with small net gains. The Bulls were more fortunate, dropping only two rating points for a more healthy net gain of 6.6 points.

The Waratahs and Stormers on the other hand were able to profit in both aspects of their performance.

The Waratahs upped their rating by two to be the main movers, up 8 points net. The Stormers increased their home advantage by 1.4 and their rating by 5.4 for a 6.8 point net gain.

The Super12 matches will be analysed for the ratings each week using a simple computerised adjustive rating system, similar to the PriceWaterhouseCooper rankings for cricket.

Over the whole competition a lowly rating can be offset by a high home advantage.

Over the last four Super12 seasons the three highest average ratings have been Brumbies 28.6, Blues 26.7 and Crusaders 25.2, while the three lowest averages have been Cats 7.4, Bulls 8.6 and Sharks 13.4.

Latest ratings:

SUPER12 RATINGS AND HOME ADVANTAGES 2004

After Week: 2

Team Rating Home advantage

Blues 35.4 1.7
Brumbies 20.3 25.8
Bulls 20.0 -0.4
Cats 0.0 15.8
Chiefs 16.3 3.5
Crusaders 39.9 -11.4
Highlanders 11.9 27.6
Hurricanes 15.6 18.2
Reds 19.7 2.8
Sharks 15.3 -3.0
Stormers 25.7 -9.8
Waratahs 32.4 -6.9

Ends

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