Braid primed for back-up role
Daniel Braid: Destined to warm up New Zealand's bench in 2008?
Daniel Braid is poised to become back-up flanker for New Zealand captain Richie McCaw as the All Blacks coaching panel considers a specialist openside for the forthcoming June Tests.
A reappraisal of their loose forward personnel is a key consideration ahead of the 2008 season - a year of redemption for the national team after their failure to claim the World Cup last year.
The inclusion of Braid in the preliminary 25-man training group gave a clear indication Head Coach Graham Henry wants a back-up for his captain, who is expected to play the bulk of the All Blacks 14-Test programme.
Braid, who played the last of three Tests at the 2003 World Cup, has been included at the expense of the versatile loose forward bench option Chris Masoe.
The Wellingtonian's 20-Test career appears over barring injury or a stellar Air New Zealand Cup later this year.
Aucklander Braid has already made noises about joining the player exodus should he not make the All Blacks this year.
It seems his All Black wish may be granted although there is no guarantee to be named in the 26-man squad to be named on Sunday for the early season Tests against Ireland and England.
Still, last year's New Zealand's Rugby Player of the Year should figure at some point. Particularly when an extended tour party is selected for November's Grand Slam tour after a Bledisloe Cup clash in Hong Kong.
All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen confirmed specialists were now a sought after commodity.
"There's a need to have access to quality sevens," he said, before sympathising with Masoe's predicament.
"He's unlucky to miss out, he's been a good All Black when he's played but now we're looking at a different type of mix with the new rules - he's probably been a casualty of that."
Who occupies the blindside flank will also be a moot point after the Super 14 Final with Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino vying for Jerry Collins' jersey.
Sione Lauaki also looms as an impact player off the bench while Otago's Adam Thomson has also made dramatic strides at the Highlanders.
Henry agreed Thomson, an athletic former New Zealand Sevens representative, had emerged from left field by standing out in an often struggling team.
Hansen said the line-out will also be revisited this year with a taller loose trio under consideration to offer more options to combat the packs likely to be fielded by Australia, South Africa and England - a policy that could favour Kaino.
Meanwhile, Henry said the recent All Blacks who failed to make the cut - Masoe, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu and Jason Eaton - would have to play "bloody well" in the Air New Zealand Cup to come back into the frame though injuries could offer an opening.
Six of the training squad took either a limited or no part in the camp's first field session on Wednesday.
Brendon Leonard (knee), Tony Woodcock (toe), Rodney So'oialo (ribs), Richard Kahui (ankle), Mils Muliaina (ankle), Neemia Tialata (shoulder/elbow) are nursing injuries.
Henry said none were serious and he was confident number eight So'oialo, a late withdrawal from last weekend's Super 14 semi-final, would be available for the Irish Test in Wellington next Saturday.