The Bulletin’s NRL power rankings to assess the true pecking order after two rounds in 2019

The Bulletin has come up with its own NRL power rankings to determine the true pecking order based on how teams have performed thus far.

THE first two rounds of the NRL season have produced a variety of surprises and a ladder few could have predicted.

Four teams remain undefeated and another four are yet to register a win, one of which are Gold Coast who were tipped in the pre-season to be big improvers.

The task doesn’t get any easier for the Titans this week, with a Sunday night away showdown against South Sydney.

“I think they are the leading team at the moment. What they have done the last two weeks has been pretty outstanding,” Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace said of his Round 3 opponents.

To that end, the Bulletin has come up with its own power rankings to determine the true pecking order based on how teams have performed thus far.

Suliasi Vunivalu and Nelson Asofa-Solomona celebrate a try against Canberra. Picture: AAP Image

1. Melbourne Storm

NRL ladder: 4th

Seriously, how good are this mob? They have put beyond doubt their status as contenders even without retired champion Billy Slater and have looked the goods in both attack and defence.

2. South Sydney Rabbitohs

NRL ladder: 3rd

Wallace wasn’t far off the mark here. Aside from a shaky first half against the Dragons last round, it has been a top start for Wayne Bennett at Redfern. Definitely look like a top four squad.

3. Parramatta Eels

NRL ladder: 2nd

Terrific turnaround. The Eels are quickly putting their dreadful 2018 into the distant past – and they still have key forwards Manu Ma’u and Nathan Brown to return eventually.

4. Cronulla Sharks

NRL ladder: 7th

After all the drama of an off-season that saw marquee flyer Valentine Holmes depart and premiership coach Shane Flanagan moved on, the Sharks have started with a tight match against Newcastle and a solid win over the Titans.

Russell Packer of the Tigers reacts at full time after his side defeated the Warriors. Picture: AAP Image

5. Wests Tigers

NRL ladder: 1st

Another club to have rebounded well from an interesting summer. Michael Maguire has taken the club to the top of the ladder for the first time in their history, although an easy early draw has helped.

6. Canberra Raiders

NRL ladder: 5th

Don’t expect them to be lifting the premiership trophy in October but they have punched above their weight thus far with a rejigged line-up.

7. Penrith Panthers

NRL ladder: 11th

Penrith are certainly yet to set the world on fire but the potential is clear – if these guys get their act together, watch out.

8. Brisbane Broncos

NRL ladder: 6th

Were pretty horrible in Round 1 but responded well the following week. Should be competitive again but will their next title tilt have to wait until once Anthony Seibold can shape the squad the way he wants it?

FIVE BIG QUESTIONS: NRL, ISC AND RLGC

Memo to Nathan Brown: Please move Kalyn Ponga back to fullback. Picture: AAP Image

9. Newcastle Knights

NRL ladder: 9th

It’s been an unconvincing start to a big year for the Knights as they reach the pointy end of their rebuild. Does anyone actually believe Kalyn Ponga should stay at five-eighth for any longer?

10. New Zealand Warriors

NRL ladder: 8th

Yawn. Same old story. Good one week, bad the next. Or good at home, bad away. Take your pick.

11. Manly Sea Eagles

NRL ladder: 13th

To be honest, Manly are only this high up the power rankings because star fullback Tom Trbojevic is back on deck this round, and that means they will instantly become a far better side.

12. North Queensland Cowboys

NRL ladder: 12th

Were beaten badly by the Broncos as powerhouse forward Jason Taumalolo went down injured. Can a Taumalolo-less Cowboys get enough wins until he returns to stay in the finals hunt?

Gareth Widdop has signed with Warrington for 2020. Picture: Zak Simmonds

13. St George Illawarra Dragons

NRL ladder: 14th

The end is in sight for Gareth Widdop’s time in the NRL and perhaps the end is near too for the Red V’s competitive window.

14. Sydney Roosters

NRL ladder: 10th

The overwhelming pre-season favourites in many people’s eyes, the tri-colours have started very, very slowly. The one saving grace is they didn’t peak until late last year in their premiership campaign.

15. Canterbury Bulldogs

NRL ladder: 16th

The Bulldogs might struggle to win even five games at this rate. To concede 76 points against the Warriors and Eels is simply not good enough for a team with actually a pretty good forward pack.

Nathan Peats looks on during Gold Coast’s Round 1 loss to Canberra. Picture: AAP Image

16. Gold Coast Titans

NRL ladder: 15th

Without doubt the most under pressure team in the competition. Have started with two losses and it’s not about to get any easier, with the next fortnight involving away trips to face the Rabbitohs and Warriors.

WALLACE: DIAL DOWN THE PRESSURE ON US