Rugby: Braid gives reminder of his All Black credentials

Daniel Braid's performance for the Reds on Friday suggests he would have been an All Black contender if he was available. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs have got a bit of making up to do with their cowbell-clanging faithful this week.

Sione Lauaki has got a bit of making up to do with Chiefs' management.

The man with perhaps the most making up to do, however, is one who didn't do a lot wrong - Tanerau Latimer.

Over the past couple of days he would have done well to develop temporary deafness as the usual questions are being asked about the New Zealand Rugby Union's eligibility rules after Daniel Braid's tour de force performance for the Reds.

The inference is clear: the All Black selectors would do well to lobby the NZRU into tweaking their rules because Braid is a clear second-best in the openside stakes behind the incomparable Richie McCaw.

It is trite to make a value judgment on one player on the basis of how their opposition played on the night, but to most it was obvious that the only test-class breakaway on display on Friday was Braid.

His task was made a great deal easier by seven other forwards in red who remained committed to the breakdown throughout.

That allowed him to scavenge successfully while Latimer was reduced to spectator.

Some days the game flows for you, on others it doesn't. Still, the spotlight has been thrown back on the eligibility criteria because of Braid's work and the nagging feeling that Latimer - with others tried in the No 7 jersey including Scott Waldrom, Adam Thompson, George Whitelock - has yet to convince he is up to the job of deputising for McCaw.

What better way to reinforce your credentials than by getting one over McCaw, Whitelock and friends when they host the Crusaders at Hamilton on Friday? Redemption could be a dish best served hot.

As for Braid, if out of sight is truly out of mind, then he'll have to wait until May 7 to display his pilfering skills in front of a "home" crowd, when the Reds travel to Wellington to play Scott Waldrom's Hurricanes.

Those quick to anoint Braid as a potential World Cup bolter would do well to remember also that he had as many detractors as admirers when he earned his four test caps.

The argument was that he was too small to be truly effective at international level. He gives 3cm in height to Latimer, but tips the scales (dripping wet, you suspect) 1kg heavier at 102kg.

In the lead-up to the Chiefs encounter he said he was the heaviest he's ever been, yet was still able to carry the weight without his endurance or speed suffering.

Latimer, though, has more immediate problems than his physique. Unless he can convince his teammates that the breakdown is worth committing to in numbers, Latimer could be 2m tall, 110kg and blessed with the speed of Usain Bolt and he's still going to struggle.

Time for his teammates to play their part.