|
`Bay had to do it at some stage' |
|
Written by Kelly Exelby
|
|
Tuesday, 17 August 2004 |
THE words of former All Black Gary Braid rang true yesterday as Bay of Plenty lifted the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in its 93-year history.
``The Bay has to do it (win the Ranfurly Shield) at some stage,'' Braid told the Bay of Plenty Times last week. ``I just don't particularly want them to do it against Daniel.''
Braid, who played 124 games for Bay of Plenty and was an All Black in the mid-1980s, was watching yesterday as his son Daniel was part of the losing Auckland side at Eden Park.
Daniel Braid thought his father would be quietly pleased with the 33-28 win.
``I think, in a way, he'll be sad for me but having played so many years for Bay of Plenty, there will a lot of joy For him.''
``For me, although I was devastated at being part of a side that lost the Shield, it was great to see legends of the game in Bay of Plenty - guys like Greg Rowlands and Max Heimann - on the sideline after the game.
``I knew of them growing up (in Tauranga) and to see them stoked like that, well ... it must be a great feeling for them, even though I'm hurting.''
Braid, who played for the All Blacks last season at the Rugby World Cup, said Auckland's notoriously slow start and Bay's greater desire for victory were what made the difference.
``Bay are a really good side - a well-drilled and professional unit. Basing themselves in Tauranga and training in one place has only helped give them a more solid base.
``Right now it's hard to explain quite what I'm feeling - to turn up to training tomorrow and know the Shield has gone. As much as I hate losing it, if it was going to happen I'm glad it was the Bay.''
|
News and Opinion 
