#1. LUKE BRAID – NEW ZEALAND
Flanker
Jones said: “Gee they [New Zealand] are an exceptional team and it was very hard to just select one player from a group of very talented players, but certainly the seven, Luke Braid, follows in the great tradition of New Zealand sevens – high work rate, again strong at the tackle and has exceptional linkage skills.
Embed from Getty Images“I think that probably stood out in the tournament, his ability to link between a very strong tight five and a free running backline to provide that continuous supply of ball.
“There has been worries about New Zealand’s strength with a number of good players going to the northern hemisphere and possibly the numbers of people playing rugby in New Zealand drying up, but certainly this group of players were absolutely outstanding.
“Their skill level was exceptional, they were fast, they were positive and a very good example that New Zealand is still producing some great players.”
Where is he now? While his father Gary and brother Daniel both played for the All Blacks, flanker Luke hasn’t reached that level, but he has had a fine career with the Auckland-based Blues and French outfit Bordeaux.