Wynne Gray: Also-rans doing little to fire up their fans

Thank goodness for the Crusaders and Waratahs with a serious mention for the Brumbies.

Otherwise the latest round of the Super 14 would have had as much spark as Guy Fawkes night during a tropical downpour.

The leading sides were not at their finest in Christchurch, but the calibre of their rugby and that of the Brumbies was noticeably superior to the rest of their competitors.

Maybe we were spoiled because the match of the round began the weekend viewing. After that, there was nowhere to go but down.

It was positively subterranean at Carisbrook when the Highlanders hosted the Force in the second match of the weekend.

The difference in quality between the first two matches was staggering. You knew you were not being too harsh when one of the local commentators, who once whispered something slightly critical about the region, piped up about the poor spectacle.

An improvement was inevitable at Hamilton and Auckland although those matches were littered with mistakes, the sort of basic flaws which should not infest such a professional competition.

The Brumbies showed the attention to duty expected of a top side and attacked their work with purpose, clarity and accuracy. They did not let their standards fall to those of the Cheetahs.

George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, George Smith and company displayed skills that fitted their professional rugby player occupations.

They looked like they had practised their moves, honed their techniques and worked hard on developing their patterns.

As much as the Brumbies reignited some televisual warmth, the Cats and Reds had you searching for the off switch on the goggle box. The match was all about mediocrity, confirmation they deserved to be in the series basement.

The antidote was to think back to Friday and the heavyweight clash between the Crusaders and Waratahs. Neither were at their sharpest as statistics about missed tackles and turnovers suggest.

But there was an edge to that game, just like the Crusaders' epic against the Hurricanes the week before. It was rugby of significant quality, a game to recall unlike too much of the Super 14.

Why are the top group superior? Why are many of the other sides so erratic? It may be easier to attempt an answer to the second half of the question.

The expanded competition has stretched the depth of player resources in South Africa, Australia and NZ. Having more matches has brought more injuries which further exposes the reserve strength in squads.

There is more travel, less time during the competition for remedial work and skill sessions, more time needed for recovery.

Sides like the Crusaders, Waratahs, Hurricanes and Brumbies are helped by their reservoir of talent, experience, planning and coaching.

They can absorb some hits, they can cope with drama, they understand what it takes to get through this rugby marathon.

Who will survive? Maybe the Crusaders-Waratahs match on Friday was a preview of the final. Maybe not.

While the Waratahs will rue their slow start, their attacking caution and mixed first-half kicking, they know they had the champions on the rack in the last quarter.

The Crusaders were in pain but had the strength of mind to endure the ordeal. The invaders tortured but did not have an assassin.

Mat Rogers may be that executioner but he was laid up in Sydney, taking care of damaged ribs.

Just as the Crusaders are no one-man team (although either Richie McCaw or Daniel Carter give a fair impersonation), the Waratahs are not dependent on Rogers. But he helps, he is added value, he has that star quality.

His inclusion in a rematch would deliver another dimension. A sneak preview may be unveiled on Sunday with Rogers tipped to resume for the Tahs against the Brumbies.

That should be worth watching if you can wade through the six earlier matches.