Rugby: Braid to plot Blues' downfall

Daniel Braid faces six months of rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on Sunday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A ruptured Achilles tendon may have abruptly ended Daniel Braid's playing stint at the Reds but Queensland coach Phil Mooney still believes the All Blacks flanker can help lift his battling Super 14 side.

They will need all the help they can get before lining up against the Blues at Auckland on Saturday and Braid's inside knowledge of his former team could prove vital.

The Reds reached their lowest ebb in a morale-sapping season when they plunged to their fourth straight loss - a 31-20 defeat at the hands of the lowly Lions that Mooney described as "disgraceful".

Braid faces six months of rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on Sunday, ending his Reds season and cutting into the start of a new three-year deal with the Llanelli Scarlets in Wales.

However, Mooney believes marquee signing Braid's influence - particularly on his young replacement Poutasi Luafutu - will aid the Reds' recovery.

"The minimum recovery time is six months so it's a disappointing injury for us and particularly for Daniel," Mooney said.

"I haven't spoken to him since the surgery but I'm sure he's still got a big role to play here."

Junior World Cup 2008 selection Luafutu, 21, had "developed significantly" after being taken under Braid's wing.

"[Luafutu] is itching for an opportunity and it looks as though he'll get it," Mooney said.

"He's not your traditional openside [flanker] but he's physical and very competitive.

"It'll also be good to have a new guy in the team because with that, you get a different dynamic and energy."

Luafutu made his Reds debut last season, replacing legend David Croft.

Mooney will make a decision on winger Peter Hynes (knee) later in the week. If unavailable, Hynes looks set to be replaced by Australian Sevens representative Luke Morahan.

The 19-year-old - who scored 27 tries on this season's IRB Sevens World Series circuit - made his Reds debut after Hynes went down in the second half against the Lions.

Mooney appeared to have taken a few deep breaths since his post-match blast last Saturday night.

"Whatever words you used to describe [the loss], it wasn't a performance we were proud of," he said. "[The Blues] are a very good side, so we've got to come up with solutions for this weekend."

Mooney will announce his side tomorrow.

- AAP