|
ITM Cup
Braid sets sights on All Blacks
Scrum.com
July 23, 2010
Daniel Braid has his sights set on an All Blacks spot
© Getty Images
Enlarge
Daniel Braid has set his sights on the All Blacks' end-of-season tour after returning home from a spell in Australia with the Reds. The Auckland openside, whose form in 2010 was a big factor in the Reds' Super 14 resurgence, won his last Test cap in 2008. He admitted that pulling on the black jersey again prior to the Rugby World Cup was a major factor in his decision to sign a deal with Auckland and the Blues. He will take the reins for the forthcoming ITM Cup season, which kicks off with a "battle of the bridge" against North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium next Sunday. "To make the All Blacks and try to make the World Cup squad, and to play in the World Cup in your own country, was a big part of it," he said. "I'm enjoying playing under these rule variations and I'm enjoying watching the game a lot as well. "You can be a lot more positive about how you want to play. That's a big part of my game. I try to be a constructive player so it helps me there." Meanwhile, Ranfurly Shield holders Southland turned on another eight-try second-half blitz to destroy challengers Wanganui 62-6 at Rugby Park in Invercargill on Friday. Ahead 14-6 at the break after a nervy first half, the Southlanders racked up three tries in the opening six minutes of the second half to put their second Shield defence this season beyond doubt. The performance mirrored Southland's opening effort of the season against North Otago two weeks ago, when they turned a 10-3 halftime lead into a 48-3 victory. Mark Wells, Glen Horton and Tony Koonwaiyou led the way with two tries apiece while Elliot Dixon, Brayden Mitchell, Jamie Mackintosh and Jason Rutledge completed the rout. © Scrum.com
|
