Braid sticks with Reds

[travelling_gerry]

June 16, 2009 - 9:29PM


Former All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid will play a second Super 14 season with Queensland in a major boost for the battling Reds.

Braid, on Tuesday night, confirmed he would take up the option of another year at Ballymore after originally exercising a get out clause to sign with Welsh club Llanelli Scarlets.

Braid's lucrative deal with the Scarlets fell through due to injury dramas after he ruptured his achilles playing for the Reds against the Brumbies in April.

The former Auckland Blues backrower has mulled over his decision for the last three weeks and finally decided after a trip back to New Zealand.

It's a crucial retention for Queensland, who finished second last in the Super 14, after they failed in their bid to poach Wallabies backrower Richard Brown from the Western Force.

Braid gives the Reds a specialist openside flanker in a squad which has plenty of powerful backrowers but few other ball pilferers.

Queensland's high performance manager Ben Whitaker was delighted with Braid's decision as the five-Test forward also played an important role in tutoring the young Reds pack.

© 2009 AAP

http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/break...0616-cgj5.html

[GIGS20]

Good news, Qld couldn't really afford to lose any more quality from their pack!

Hopefully he'll be able to help the young guys around him to develop into a competitive unit which can gain a bit more ball for their backline.......at least until the meet the Force of course!

[James]

Braid playing for QLD again is good but only if QLD goes and signs either Beau Robinson or Julian Salvi who are both 7s off contract. They have a 7 problem. There are two Australian 7s off contract. It would be better to keep Braid on and have someone there for when he leaves (which is a sure thing). Both are talented and sooner or later Australian rugby needs to realise that we may not be able to get the best in every position but a player who gives 110% like that pair is definitely worth having. The next David Croft.

[GIGS20]

I think Robinson would be the better, he's got that little (or maybe not so little) bit of mongrel that's been missing from Aussie packs for too long. What Braid would need to do is teach him to control the agression so he doesn't turn into Ali Williams or Bakkies Botha

[Burgs]

Yeah, a handy retention by the Reds, but as the others indicate, hopefully not at the expense of Robinson or Salvi.

[TOCC]

are you sure they are both off contract, i think they are both still signed for 2010

[jargan83]

I'm pretty sure Salvi is, the only reason the Brumbies kept Chapman is because Salvi wanted to look elsewhere

[Burgs]

Salvi is definately gone in the last announcement from Canberra.

Flanker Julian Salvi has departed the Brumbies after executing an option in his contract following the signing of Wallaby Rocky Elsom.

I'm pretty sure that Robinson is gone too but not 100%.

[TOCC]

yeah, i thought they both were signed but had options or release clauses

i wonder what salvi will be doing now that Braid has re-signed

[TommyM]

Beau Robinson does not have an S14 contract. Tahs let him go. Madness. He's sensational. I reckon he should be close to starting ahead of Waugh! Not sure who they're grooming in his stead, but QLD are crazy not to pick him up.

[slomo]

bad news for scarlets, great news for the reds....

[TOCC]

NSW let Robinson go?

thats news to me, but interesting if true, the Reds are grooming the likes of Shaw to be a future 7, but he is still a couple of seasons away IMO, whereas someone like Robinson or Salvi are ready to be starting now.

It would be pretty devastating to be a openside in Australia right now, you know there are 3 worldclass players in front of you.

[Burgs]

Story of Crofty's career hey TOCC?

[TOCC]

except now there are 3

[James]

NSW let Robinson go?

thats news to me, but interesting if true, the Reds are grooming the likes of Shaw to be a future 7, but he is still a couple of seasons away IMO, whereas someone like Robinson or Salvi are ready to be starting now.

It would be pretty devastating to be a openside in Australia right now, you know there are 3 worldclass players in front of you.

Yeah but in two years when RWC 2011 is over it'll just be Dave. Plenty of opportunity then. I hope if Robinson and Salvi leave they don't sign long contracts! Alternatively they could do a Matt Hodgson and get some experience in all positions in the backrow. That kind of versatility doesn't get you a starting job but at least you could still be with the Wallabies.

This is why I'm concerned about a 5th Aussie Franchise. If you have three guys in front of you in a position you will probably end up going overseas and so only 3 out of the 5 teams will/could have a quality player in any given position.