This week, for something a little different, injured Steamers first-five Mike Delany interviews flanker Luke Braid.

Mike Delany: Today I'm talking with borderline ginga and kid dynamo Luke Braid. Luke, everyone's talking about the Battle of the Braid's tomorrow. How do you see it playing out when the Bay meets Auckland?
Luke Braid: I've lost two out of two to my brother Dan, one playing for the Bay and one playing for the Chiefs, so hopefully the boys get up and help me out. I really need to stop him getting three from three.

MD: I was up at the Domain last week and saw the mighty Mount Maunganui Marlins get robbed of a Baywide title by your Tauranga Sports mob. Anything you'd like to say for yourself?
LB: I think they robbed themselves by winning the toss and going with the wind. Rookie mistake - everyone knows that at the Domain, you go with the tide rather than the wind.

MD: Does signing with the Blues for next year's Super 15 mean you've given up beer and developed a serious coffee addiction?
LB: I don't like your line of questioning here. What are you trying to say? Absolutely no comment.

MD: OK, don't get shirty. To my expert first-five's eye, it seems like you've finally mastered the new rules. Talk us through the key skills for flankers getting turnovers.
LB: That's a better question, Mike. Basically you just need to leave the tackler alone. Don't even touch him - just go for that ball as soon as he hits the ground. That relies on the first tackler taking him down straight away though - it's a proper team effort to get a steal.

MD: It's a pretty sweet deal living in the Bay and playing rugby - just living the dream. What do you get up to outside rugby?
LB: I love my fishing, whenever someone offers to take me out on their boat (hint hint) but other than that I like to get out for a surf whenever I can. I read an interesting comment from Culum Retallick saying he was the best surfer in the team and I suppose he's right, if he counts boogey-boarding in the whitewash as surfing. It takes him a long time to stand up - usually by the time he's stood up, he's already back up the beach, shivering by his car trying to untie his budgie-smugglers.

MD: It's funny you should mention Culum - I heard a rumour his physical stats came back showing he was the most uncoordinated player in the whole ITM Cup competition?
LB: I don't like to drop the guy in it but one day I was surfing with him at the Main Beach one day and he got it all wrong when he tried to dive in. His timing was all off - he ended up getting beached on a rock. Highly embarrassing. I just had to walk away.

MD: I know I'm the best teammate you've ever had but who is the worst and why?
LB: Colin Bourke is up there. He sits next to me in the shed and is always raiding my fresh towels. He uses them, hangs them back up wet and smelly and pretends nothing has happened. I won't even mention all the toe-nail clippings through my bag and the fact that my toothbrush is missing because I can't prove for sure that it's him. But it wouldn't surprise me.

MD: Just a few quick questions so that people know what sort of bloke you really are - would we find you at the bar or on the dance floor?
LB: Both. I like sitting at the bar while dancing.

MD: What's your best feature?
LB: It has to be my crooked smile.

MD: Speedos or boardies?
LB: I've leave the speedos to Culum.

MD: Favourite holiday destination?
LB: Matakana Island, on an easterly swell.

MD: Thanks for your time Luke and good luck tomorrow.
LB: No worries Mike - a bit more work on your question lines and you'd make a good journo.