Hendrie Fourie retires, replaced by Daniel Braid

Title sums it up really.

No idea how good he still is but it should help Sales recovery.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/8141643/Former-AB-Daniel-Braid-signs-with-English-club

Braid was still useful for the Blues last season, though was mostly stuck on the bench behind his younger brother Luke.

A real shame for Fourie - but not unexpected. He often looked like a player who had bulked up too much, more than his body could handle.

On a side note yet another early retirement will make it even harder for players to get insurance - so players, clubs and Player Unions need to really look at ongoing education and career development outside of rugby.

Sad news about Shrek, whatever people thought about his elevation to the England squad his commitment on the field was always there, very physical. I suppose at 33 he was pretty much at the end of his playing carreer but would have liked to see him retire on his own terms. Thankful for his efforts at Leeds and wish him well for the future.

Fourie in the RWC warm up games was a beast however it was during these games that he got his injury that has ended his career, he underwent a fanstatic rise through the rugby ranks which culimated in several eye catching performances for england at 7. For me it wasnt the muscle but years of never say die attritional rugby that took its toll, i dont think south african flankers are born, but chiselled out of rock in a mine in deepest africa, good luck in your retirement bro.

Bad luck for Fourie - a real scrapper.

OP - could you consider a slight amendment to the title? It's Daniel BRAID (not Baird) who has been signed as cover until the end of the season.