From Silverfern - another rumour

[fatprop]

Who is the All Black player from this season who is soon to sign with an Aussie S14 team, with options to play in Japan/Europe in their offseason? Gets to have his cake and eat it too - play S14, and earn lots of dosh from overseas contracts as well...

anyone have an idea?

 

[RugbyReg]

Gotta be a lock (Tahs), flanker (Reds) or front row (4s) doesn't it?

 

[naza]

Pure guesswork, let's try some process of elimination. I assume the team is the Tahs whose big need is some tall timber.

Ali Williams will be back at the Blues next year. Adam Thomson has re-signed for Otago. If any All Black were disgruntled, they'd have to be a Blues player - Nucifora's not well liked there. Boric ?

 

[Scotty]

I think it would most likely be someone going to the Force, who have the ability to throw a bit of money around. It could be just about any tight forward and I'm sure they'd be happy.

 

[RugbyReg]

The Reds would be happy wih Daniel Braid I reckon. Very Croft-like I reckon.
Has Ross Fillipo signed anywhere? He'd be a good shout. Someone probably looking at the JAP option too.

 

[Gagger]

Troy Flavell to the Tahs?

 

[fatprop]

the fern has Braid at the Reds

 

[Gagger]

Australia's short of opensides?

 

[the gambler]

No, but the reds clearly are so I have no problems with that. Seems like a pretty honest type that will get stuck in, do his bit with the juniors and generally make a pretty good fist of it. Not exactly going to be making the turnstiles swing like Sailor but will make the Reds a better team.

 

[TOCC]

wow, if this is genuine then what a great signing

He comes with experience and he is actually a pretty good player, he will more then fill the gap that David Croft left.

 

[RugbyReg]

Yeah I'd be happy with that. Although my brain keeps flashing up images of Ian Bottham and Graham Hick playing for the Bulls. What's Braids drive in this? Purely money right? He has a starting spot at the Blues. He's not gonna play for the Wallabies so that's not a driver.

Hope he's not coming for a 14 week holiday before pissing off to Japan for more of the same.

 

[Lee Grant]

Looks like Braid if it's not a wind up.

 

[Pfitzy]

I think it would most likely be someone going to the Force, who have the ability to throw a bit of money around.

Not any more - and one good T5 player isn't going to fix their issues. They need at least one prop and one lock, if not more.

 

[TOCC]

since Force have lost there Firepower sponsor and got fined for the Kanaar incident, they dont really have as much leverage as they did when they poached Giteau and Mitchell.

If Braid comes over then his pretty much going to assume the leadership role for the pack, at least until Horwill gets back anyway. If QLD pull this signing off then it will probably be there most significant signing since they signed Sailor.

 

[spectator]

Braid would be an excellent pick up.

 

[Virgil]

Australia's short of opensides?

Yes you are, especially if Waugh is considered your next best option after Smith.
Still for us after McCaw there is a million light years after him and the next best option!

 

[formeropenside]

I imagine its a one or two year deal while we develop up Andrew Shaw or similar.

 

[Pfitzy]

Yes you are, especially if Waugh is considered your next best option after Smith.
Still for us after McCaw there is a million light years after him and the next best option!

I'd rather be in our situation Virg Of course, while McCaw remains uninjured its a moot point, but Waugh and Pocock as backups is not a bad place to be in.

 

[TOCC]

at any one time in the past 5 years there has being at least 3 players i would be happy to have playing openside flanker for the wallabies

mainly smith, waugh and croft (in that order), but now we also have pocock and i believe that beau robinson is going to be another awsome openside flanker.

 

[Gagger]

that was exactly my point. Can see Braids experience will be good for a young reds outfit, but as per TOCCs comment, surprised a 7 is our first import considering some of the holes we got elsewhere.