Braid to lead by example

Reds recruit Daniel Braid is keen to lead the youthful Queensland squad by example – which is one of the reasons coach Phil Mooney wanted to sign the All Black flanker for 2009.

Reds recruit Daniel Braid is keen to lead the youthful Queensland squad by example – which is one of the reasons coach Phil Mooney wanted to sign the All Black flanker for 2009.

Mooney said the character of his players is as important to the squad as their rugby ability and Braid earned high marks on both counts from his former Auckland Blues coach David Nucifora, now Australian Rugby's High Performance General Manager.

“Football skill is important but the quality of the person and what they can offer to our program is vital as well,” said Mooney.

“David spoke very highly of Daniel in terms of his leadership qualities and with a young group it was important that we sign a player with those qualities.”

Braid said he “definitely” wanted to help with the leadership of the team, which he said is on the way up, with an exciting batch of talented young players.

“I've just finished a season with a very young Auckland side and I've got experience of how to motivate and relate to young guys and how to impart the knowledge that I've got onto them,” said Braid.

Braid is the first “marquee” player to be recruited by an Australian Super 14 team since the ARU relaxed its rules on foreign player eligibility and Mooney said it was a policy change well worth making.

“The benefit that we derive from it is the fact that we've got a guy who's played internationally for another country (and) played very successfully in provincial programs,” said Mooney.

“So what Daniel offers us with approaches to the game, his different experiences on and off the field, I think will be beneficial not just to the Reds but to the younger guys in the Academy who play in that position.”

Braid was recruited to the Reds following veteran flanker David Croft's surprise decision to retire from the professional game and Braid acknowledges they will be big shoes to fill.

“When you're playing against the Reds, he's (Croft) always the guy that you target first, you've got to take out,” said Braid.

“He put his body on the line every single game. I saw him after the game when the Blues played the Reds and he threw everything into that.

“His arm was in a sling, there was all ice there, his face was bashed up, had stitches. That's just the sort of guy he is.”

Braid has signed a one-year deal with the Reds with an option for a second season.

He has played with the Auckland-based Blues since 2001 and earned 59 Super Rugby caps for the Blues in a total of 78 appearances for his province.

He is a member of the rare father and son All Black club and earned his fourth Test cap for New Zealand playing against Australia in Sydney this year.

But the former Auckland Blues flanker has not given up on adding to his caps.

“It was a big call to leave the Blues and leave New Zealand,” Braid told The Australian.

“But it had been a goal of me and my partner to move overseas and we'd been looking for a while to take up an overseas contract.

“The Queensland lifestyle and the package the Reds put up was a factor as well.

“I'd want to play for the All Blacks again.

“I think I've still got plenty more years left in me and after we've done an overseas trip, I'd like to go back and play in New Zealand and play for the All Blacks again.”