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Daniel Braid will equal the record for an All Blacks drought between Test appearances when he plays against Australia in Sydney on Saturday. A total of 57 Tests have been played since openside flanker Braid last pulled on the black jersey, where 13 minutes against Canada and 54 minutes against Tonga at the 2003 World Cup were his lot. It matches the number of Tests that former Auckland and Blues team-mate Xavier Rush missed between his debut against Australia in 1998 and his recall at number eight against England in 2004. He admits there were times during the past four years when he seriously considered shifting overseas, but his good form for Auckland and the Blues, and a few chats with New Zealand coach Graham Henry, convinced him to stay. "We had some offers there but I wanted to hang around and have another crack at the... [read full story]
