Media Release - March 11th 2008 - Bay's Braid makes NZ side

 

Bay of Plenty player Luke Braid will join New Zealand’s young up-and-coming rugby talent representing their country at the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship in May after being named in the New Zealand team yesterday.

 

The New Zealand under-20 side replaces the national under-19 and under-21 sides following the International Rugby Board's restructure of its age grade competitions.

 

Luke was also a member of The NZU19 side who won the World U19 CUP in Ireland in 2007.

 

Luke has an impressive rugby pedigree anyone would be proud of. His father Gary played two tests for the All Blacks in the early 1980s, as well as representing Bay of Plenty. His brother Daniel has played three tests for the All Blacks and plays Super 14 rugby for the Blues.

In the lead up to the New Zealand Under 20 trial, Braid has been training with the BOPRU squad. He has achieved personal bests in the gym and field testing in the last few weeks.

 

Braid said “I was stoked to be selected to attend another World Championship and stressed to myself last years achievements would have no bearing on selection”. Braid continued “I can’t wait to get into the camps and then head away to Wales”

 

Braids selection to the National Under 20 team continues Bay of Plenty Rugby’s representation at the National level in 2008 after Daniel Ross, Chris Miller, Sam Cane, and Carl Axtens were selected in the New Zealand under-17 side earlier this year.

 

 

For more information, please contact Mike Rogers, Rugby Development Manager on mike@boprugby.co.nz or 0294 784292.