How to sort a list that refuses to be sorted? After five rounds of Major League Rugby action, the picture at the top of the rankings is as unclear as ever. When trying to rank the teams, head-to-head matchups are naturally the best data points. But what is one to think when the head-to-head results tell conflicting stories?

Rugby United New York, last week’s #1, has beaten both the New Orleans Gold and the San Diego Legion. This week, they dropped one to the Seattle Seawolves. But those same Seawolves have lost to both NOLA and San Diego. It’s a mess. An exciting, entertaining, tense mess.

Below, you can see how the chips fell this week. But gaps in the rankings among the top four are very thin. Even small demonstrations in Round 6 can end up causing big changes.

#1 SEATTLE SEAWOLVES (Record: 3-2; Last Week: #3)

We have our first returner to the top of the rankings. Seattle held the spot until NOLA took it after Round 3 and, a mere two rounds later, they’re back. They played out of their skin to get there.

The win against RUNY was arguably the best performance by any team all season. I said after they roared back to beat Toronto Arrows in Round 4 that it was like they hit the turbo button. Well, it seems that turbo button was only the beginning. This week they went with the “unstoppable” button. It may be the impact of having a full-time head coach beginning to seep through. It may be that they have a different gear when playing at home. It’s probably a little of both.

The Seawolves haven’t lost at home since Round 2 of 2018. It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen again anytime soon.

#2 tie SAN DIEGO LEGION (Record: 4-1; Last Week: #4)

Since they lost in Round 1 to New York, it’s been smooth sailing. And getting smoother week by week. Though, in fairness, their schedule may deserve some of the credit.

Nevertheless, the Legion may be the most balanced team in MLR. They are strong in the set piece. Their backline is packed with USA Eagles. They have veteran leadership from folks like Lou Stanfill and Nate Augspurger. If there’s a question remaining, it is probably on the defensive side of the ball. The two best attacking sides the Legion have faced are New York and Seattle. New York beat them and Seattle lost in hurricane conditions.

If they can muster the defensive chops to slow the best attacking teams, a shot at the title is within reach.

#2 tie RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK (Record: 2-1; Last Week: #1)

Like NOLA before them, the Roosters got only a taste of the top. A chance to really cement their claim to the #1 spot was squandered when RUNY could not find their way across the Seattle whitewash. Oh sure, they scored a few. But not nearly as many as they should have, given their opportunities.

There are some mitigating factors. Three forwards were with the Eagles. The travel schedule has been daunting, with trips to California, Seattle, and Louisiana (albeit with two bye weeks included).

Still, they need to find ways to convert chances, rather than ways to miss them. Things should get a bit easier, with games against a Houston SaberCats side losing four players to Uruguay and then one against Utah. Both on the road, still, but perhaps not as formidable competitors as the three teams that have thus far occupied New York’s dance card.

#4 NOLA Gold (Record: 3-1; Last Week: #2)

I can hear the protests of New Orleans fans now. After Round 3, I said that the Gold could just as easily be ranked #1. We’re right back there, with NOLA clearly worthy of top spot consideration.

There may be some recency bias in play here. Their last fixture was a home loss to New York, who then lost convincingly to Seattle. Seattle and San Diego seem to be getting better with each match, whereas NOLA’s most recent outing was their worst.

That might understandably frustrate Gold fans, who didn’t get the benefit of the same recency bias after beating Seattle. But there was the 2018 track record to consider, which was particularly meaningful early in the season when 2019 results were limited.

They’ll be able to advance their case this weekend in Utah.

#5 tie TORONTO ARROWS (Record: 2-2; Last Week: #6)

Toronto was missing a big chunk of starters to international play, but one would be hard pressed to have noticed. They looked like they were playing at a different speed than Houston. The limitations of Facebook Watch prevented me from viewing the entire match, but in the portion I could see, Toronto simply ran by, through, and over Houston.

Still, it was Houston. And their other win was in Austin. Given the state of play in the Lonestar Republic, those wins aren’t big resume builders. Toronto needs to beat some of the better-performing sides to be in the mix at the top.

#5 tie GLENDALE RAPTORS (Record: 1-2-1; Last Week: #5)

Glendale pays arguably the biggest price during the Americas Rugby Championship. Missing their half back pairing and one of the biggest playmakers in MLR is a significant handicap. But, Glendale is playing like a team handicapped.

With only one win against the winless Elite, it is time to start worrying in Colorado. Fair or not, this is the team the Raptors have to work with for six weeks of ARC. They can’t afford to wait til Round 8 to start winning. This week they host an Arrows side that is getting better every round. In their first home game of the season, it’s an important time to book a win.

#7 – UTAH WARRIORS (Record: 1-1-1; Last Week: #7 tie)

Good on Utah, who played a great first half. Shame on Utah, who almost wasted it.

Gannon Moore seemed to absorb the frustration of the Eagles’ loss to Argentina XV and channeled it into Round 5 like Bruce Banner turning into the Hulk. On the back of his big green performance, Tonata Lauti and Josh Whippy also avenged. But it wouldn’t be enough.

When Glendale was facing almost certain defeat, they seemed able to eat up Utah’s lead at will. If the match had lasted five more minutes, Utah looked likely to lose.

It doesn’t get any easier this week, with NOLA coming to town. Utah made the playoffs last year, and despite the slow start, they seem improved. How they face a top team making their first road appearance will be telling for both.

#8 – HOUSTON SABERCATS (Record: 1-2; Last Week: #7 tie)

This was not the Round 5 that Houston fans were looking for. They had a very limited Toronto team in town and a bye week to prepare. Much good it did them, as they were never in the game.

Houston must be having nightmares of 2018, where they finished bottom of the table in a massive let down. With only three games played, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. But it would be encouraging if they could notch an unexpected win.

Winning this week would qualify as unexpected, with RUNY coming to town and four players picked for Uruguay. But losing will be only more reminiscent of last season’s disappointments.

#9 AUSTIN ELITE RUGBY (Record: 0-5; Last Week: #9)

Well, they have a bye week. That already makes it their most successful week of the season. Time to bury the rugby ball, burn the pitch, and start over.