All Blacks: Braid appears on radar as McCaw backup

Tanerau Latimer has not been helped by the form of the Chiefs. Photo / Christine Cornege

The question who is the next-best openside flanker is something the All Black selectors have failed to resolve with any clarity since Richie McCaw started pulling on the All Black No 7 jersey in 2001.

There have been a number of standbys, understudies and temporary replacements but none has lasted the distance as McCaw has clocked up stellar performances in most of his 80 internationals.

With the next World Cup only 18 months away, the search for backup will increase with noises that former All Black Daniel Braid is being offered a contract to return home and challenge for his second tournament selection.

Braid was a shock choice for the 2003 World Cup, behind McCaw and Marty Holah, but he was superseded as backup by Chris Masoe for the 2007 tournament. Braid made his fourth test appearance in 2008 before he was jettisoned once more.

His form since, on a two-year deal with the Reds, has been consistent and the New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed it had been talking to the 29-year-old about returning to bid for another World Cup selection.

Auckland and Blues chief executive Andy Dalton would not discuss any specific player negotiations.

"But if Daniel wants to come back to Auckland and the Blues he would be welcomed with open arms," he said.

Josh Kronfeld, the last long-term openside before McCaw, did not see an obvious backup or replacement if the national captain was injured.

"Maybe someone will pop out of the woodwork as Richie did, I hope so," Kronfeld said.

He thought Tanerau Latimer showed some promise but was not helped by the form of the Chiefs or his forward colleagues at that franchise.

"There is not a massive gap between playing the Super 14 and tests but the selectors have to find someone with the mental aptitude who will make the right decisions at the right time - that's the difference," he said.

"You need someone with the athleticism who gets in the wrong positions for all the right reasons. There will be someone who turns up."

Other flankers like George Whitelock, Alando Soakai, Serge Lilo and Scott Waldrom were all steady without suggesting they were the answer as an All Black No 7.

While McCaw has played a number of games on the blindside during this Super 14, the All Black selectors clearly want him to revert to his more familiar duties during the test programme.

"I think he is the best number seven in the world and should stay there. Richie could play six, seven or eight - he has that ability but I think in our team, he will definitely play number seven," coach Graham Henry said.

While the rule changes had meant some style alterations, Kronfeld thought it would be a mistake to shift McCaw as well.

Braid had been playing strongly and so had the Reds but he was uncertain whether he was any better than his time in New Zealand.

"He is a good solid player and a lot of what makes a seven work well are the people around him. Richie is a stand-alone, Josh Blackie in his time was something similar. There are a few who can do it but not a lot.

"If Tanerau had a bit more of a toiler eight who did not go missing off and on, then he would benefit."

NZRU general manager of rugby Neil Sorenson said offers had been put to about 20 players in New Zealand and overseas about staying past next year. Braid was on that radar but if he was to be considered he needed to be playing in New Zealand.

HARD TO FOLLOW
* Richie McCaw has played 80 of the 105 tests since his 2001 debut.
* Tanerau Latimer, Adam Thomson, Daniel Braid and Rodney So'oialo have been the backup since the last World Cup.