Ok so i'm sad and did a basic maths equation on the current system and i was surprised by the result. I'll show later what i based it on but this was the conclusion.
5th is the second most advantageous position behind 1st
In order of most advantageous
1st
5th
2nd & 6th joint
3rd & 7th joint
4th & 8th joint
This is based on the worst possible outcome for each team.
Giving 1st place a score of 10 working down and giving 8th a score of 3.
Adding the points up, and lower the tally the easier, 5th came out second.
Any team that plays against 1st gets 10 points.
So opening round
Wigan 7 points
Wire 8 points
Saints 9 points
Catalan 10 points
Leeds 3 points
you can work out the rest.
Then you work it as though you may play all the rounds.