Braid gets best of both worlds with Blues deal | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

That was one of the things I got from the end of season review at the Chiefs - that maybe I had some more to learn about the No 7 position. Luke BraidLuke Braid is set to become the first big beneficiary of rugby's new central contracting system.

The 21-year-old flanker has signed to play for the Blues in the inaugural Super 15 season next year after 10 games for the Chiefs, linking with older brother Daniel at the Auckland-based franchise for the first time in his career.

While it's a blow to the Chiefs, Braid won't be lost to the Steamers, having signed a new two-year contract with Bay of Plenty rugby this week.

"I've got the best of both worlds really - I've always wanted to play for the Blues because my brother played for them and I used to follow them growing up but it's also given me the opportunity to stay at home," Braid said.

"The family influence is pretty strong - the old man's living up in Auckland, along with Dan and my brother Cale, while mum's still in Tauranga. Plus, I love playing for the Bay and can't imagine playing provincial rugby for anyone else at the moment."

Under the new contracting system, franchises are now allowed to independently employ players from unions outside their feeder provinces. Hawke's Bay All Black Israel Dagg is expected to sign with the Crusaders under a similar deal, while the Blues are also understood to be hunting a high-profile overseas No 8.

While gutted by Braid's exodus, the Chiefs are also believed to be looking outside the region for a backup to Bay's All Black No 7 Tanerau Latimer, with Taranaki's Scott Waldrom the leading contender.

Chiefs assistant coach Craig Stevenson thought Braid made big strides at the Chiefs this year but understood his motives for the move.

"As much as you never like to lose someone out of your franchise to another area, sometimes you've got to appreciate why and there's some good family reasons behind Luke's move," Stevenson said.

"The drawback for Luke is that he's now in full competition with his brother and that's going to be an interesting factor for him to deal with as well. As much as he wants to learn from him, he's going to want to take his spot."

Four-test All Black Daniel Braid is heading back to Auckland after two seasons with the Queensland Reds and is expected to challenge for a place on the All Blacks end-of-year tour. The 29-year-old looms as the perfect teacher for his baby brother.

"That was one of the things I got from the end of season review at the Chiefs - that maybe I had some more to learn about the No 7 position," the younger Braid said.

It definitely made it more enticing with Dan coming back because of the chance to learn. He's been on winning teams and losing teams and has played under some great coaches."

Braid admitted getting out of Latimer's shadow at the Chiefs was also a factor, though ironically the log-jam may only get worse at provincial level with Braid, Latimer and young tyro Sam Cane all competing for the same spot.

"That's the way we're looking at it - at least one of us should be in the All Blacks in the next few years. Lats is only just missing out and obviously I want to make that next step up and Sam looks good to be an All Black as well. Hopefully the other two can take over from whoever is away."

Meanwhile, new recruits Taniela Moa and Lelia Masaga are expected to get their first taste of Bay rugby tomorrow when they come off the bench in the final pre-season game against Taranaki in Whakatane.

Masaga has had a lengthy recovery from a knee injury suffered during the Chiefs' season, while Moa has just been signed for the season from Auckland.

They'll be joined on the bench by James McGougan, who has also been battling a back injury for much of the last year. McGougan is the only Eastern Bay player in the squad, having switched back to Paroa this year.

Tomorrow's game won't be a first-class fixture with the visiting Taranaki team desperate to give as many of their squad game-time as possible.

Bay of Plenty's main injury worries at this stage are with fullback Nick McCashin, who fractured his eye socket against Hawke's Bay last week. McCashin is undergoing surgery today and is expected to be out for six weeks.

Former Tasman hooker Dan Perrin has bulging discs in his neck and is expected to return in about three weeks.

Tanerau Latimer will captain the Steamers tomorrow.

• BOP: Toby Arnold, Lance MacDonald, Ben Smith, Grant McQuoid, Jason Hona, Dan Waenga, Chad Tuoro, Solomon King, Tanerau Latimer (capt), Luke Braid, Culum Retallick, Luke Andrews, Josh Hohneck, John Pareanga, Joe Savage. Reserves: Simon Chisholm, James McGougan, Aidan Kuka, Colin Bourke, Taniela Moa, Cory Aporo, Lelia Masaga, Sam Cane.