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Braid ready to stabilise Reds` defence

Monday 01st December 2008

Black and red: The New Zealand cap is out to impress in Queensland

Daniel Braid, fresh on arriving in Ballymore, has begun life as a Queensland Red and is ready to sure up their defence.

The former All Black began training with his new side on Monday, and having replaced David Croft in the red jersey is out to match the former flanker's defensive efforts.

Despite improving throughout the season as an attacking force the Reds shipped an average of 25 points a game, and Braid knows it can't be like that again this year.

"They definitely improved as the season went on," Braid told AAP of his new team, stocked full of youngsters.

"They scored a lot of points and never gave up but defensively they let quite a few points through.

"That's a big part of my game, defence, I'm a key person in that being an open-side.

"I've got a lot of ideas I can bring in about defence so if I can help out there and looking at the talent we've got running around we can definitely score points."

Due to a slight ankle sprain Braid was unable to take a full part in training, restricted to fitness work for his first session in a hot Brisbane.

"I can run on it (the ankle) fine but we're just being cautious these first couple of weeks of training, getting back into it," he said.

Having lived in the shadow of Richie McCaw for so long Braid decided it was time to branch out, becoming the first player to take advantage of the new rules as far as Australian Super 14 teams and overseas players are concerned.

"I'd hope there'd be a bit of expectation on me coming over from New Zealand and I look forward to it," he said.

"If there is that expectation I hope that it will push me to step up and perform."