Player drain takes an odd turn

Traditionally players leaving New Zealand rugby have gone to Europe or Japan, but All Blacks and Blues’ flanker Daniel Braid has taken an uncommon route, signing with Queensland for the 2009 Super 14.

After Australia relaxed their Super 14 eligibility policy, allowing players from outside Australia to play in their Super 14 squads, Braid has become the first New Zealander to make the trip across the Tasman.

Having played just four test matches for the All Blacks, mostly stuck behind Richie McCaw, Braid made his return to international rugby this year in Sydney but this signing is a clear sign that Braid will not be taken on the end of year tour.

Braid said this decision was for a “change of scenery”, but the writing appeared to be on the wall for the 27 year old, with up and coming flankers such as Onasa’i Auva’a in the Blues franchise, and his failure to make an impact in his international recall.

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The Player drain takes an odd turn by Hamish McBrearty, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.