Reds want to bend rules to keep Braid

[shasta]

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
March 9, 2010 - 12:13PM

The Reds are desperate to keep hold of former All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid and are even trying to bend the rules to do that.

Braid, the Queensland vice-captain, has been at the heart of a Reds revival this year and is relishing the extra responsibilities handed to him by new coach Ewen McKenzie.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0309-ptxb.html

The whole Melbourne recruitment thing brings into question whether the playing field is anywhere near level during recruitment for next season. Personally, I think it would be a travesty if Qld were to be denied Braids presence next year, in light of the Melbourne concessions, PROVIDED HE WANTS TO STAY. I wonder if those 10 import spots have the same conditions as the current marque players.

[AndyS]

I guess with the counter argument running that the marquee spot was never intended to be permanent, was intended to assist the development of the other players rather than block their path and, after two years, they should have groomed a replacement ready to start stepping up.

[travelling_gerry]

Thats cool. Just refund RWA the 100k for bending the rules too.

[hertryk]

Thats cool. Just refund RWA the 100k for bending the rules too.

Not a level playing field with regards to signings....How come Qld is asking for the rules to be bent, but there was no such hope for us.....

[shasta]

Let's be clear. If the ARU were to CHANGE the conditions for next season it would apply to all. There would be no retro and no refund, sorry Gerry. I just think there should be some benefit to other franchises if, as is their stated intention, Melbourne intend to forgo some of their 10 import vacancies in favour of locals. They should be available to the other franchises and one of them could be used for Braid. We'd also likely have two or more as well.

The actual travesty I had in mind was that if the rule were enforced on the Reds, while Braid was willing to stay but he went to Melbourne as a result.