Daniel Braid

Daniel Braid

Full name	Daniel Joshua Braid
Date of birth	23 December 1981 (1981-12-23)
Place of birth	Tauranga, New Zealand
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
School	Buckley Park College
Notable relative(s)	Luke Braid, Gary Braid
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Flanker
New Zealand No.	1027
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2001–2008, 2010–	Auckland	57	(70)
correct as of 13 November 2006.
Super Rugby
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2003–2008, 2011– 2009–2010	Blues Reds	65 5	(30) (0)
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2002–	New Zealand	6	(5)
correct as of 13 November 2006.

Daniel Joshua Braid (born 23 December 1981 in Tauranga, New Zealand) is a rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Super Rugby team the Blues. His position is open side flanker.

In 2008 Braid was the first overseas foreign player to sign on to the Queensland Reds due to the ARU's relaxation policy on foreign players.Before his move to the Reds, Braid played for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup and for his current side the Blues in Super Rugby. He played for Auckland University in the Auckland premier competition.

Braid played three Tests for the All Blacks in 2002 and 2003, and scored one try. He returned to the New Zealand international set up in July 2008 and played one international against Australia in Canberra in place of the injured first choice openside Richie McCaw. Braid attended Buckley Park College and was an outstanding secondary schools' rugby player and IT student. His younger brother, Luke Braid is also a professional rugby player.

In April 2009 it was announced that he would be signing a contract with the Welsh regional side, the Scarlets. His contract was to begin in July and last 3 years, but he suffered a season ending injury, rupturing his achilles against the Lions. The new contract was subsequently terminated.

In August 2009, it was announced that Braid has signed a one year extension to stay on with the Queensland Reds.

In April 2010 it was announced that Braid would return to play his rugby for Auckland and put himself back into frame for All Blacks Selection. Braid was selected for the 30 man squad for the All Blacks 2010 end of year tour.^{[citation needed]}

Braid has been known for his vast charity work, often jetting overseas to help poor orphans within Uganda. World Vision advocate Tim Costello has praised such work, even suggesting Braid be nominated for Australian of the Year

External links

• Daniel Braid at AllBlacks.com
• Auckland Blues site