Braid, the Blues flanker, will lead his side into battle in the revived North-South game at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The North side only came together yesterday and had a light training run at the Edgar Centre, under coaches Graham Mourie and Liam Barry.
However, Braid said it was not a case of strangers coming together.
"The guys are a bit weary from the travels but everyone knows each other from previous games and talking to each other after games," he said.
"A lot of the boys are excited to be playing here and knowing it could be a one-off game. It is a pretty cool opportunity to get out and play a different game of rugby.
"It reminds you of those trial games you used to have when you had a couple of days together and guys just had to go out and play. There won't be much structure there and guys won't be afraid to try things.
"The guys will want to back their own ability and there are a lot of young guys who want to make a statement."
The onus was still on winning the game, he said.
"The thing is these guys are professional rugby players and they want to win. They are pretty chilled at the moment but in the back of their minds they will be thinking about the game and preparing in their own way. It is a pride thing, especially when it is something special like a North-South game."
Braid had the week off with the Blues, but was looking forward to playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium, which he had experienced with the Blues in April.
Just 23, Braid has also captained the Blues of late, and said he was enjoying the role.
"It is an added responsibility but one I don't mind. You can't afford to just think about your own game and have to look at things a bit differently."
The Blues have endured a tough year, and sit on the bottom of the table but Braid said if they had played like they did in their last game - a narrow loss to the Chiefs - for the whole season, then the competition would have turned out better for them.
Braid will captain the North side from the openside flank and will be part of a speedy loose forward trio with the promising Brad Shields at No 8 and Faifili Levave on the blindside.
North halfback Brendon Leonard will bring plenty of experience to the role and will have Lachie Munro outside him.
Munro started his career in the inside backs, and has the distribution skills to let those free outside him.
Nearly 5000 tickets had been sold for the game by late yesterday, enough to break even.
The game has been organised as part of the rescue package to save the Otago Rugby Football Union from going into liquidation.
All profits from the match will go to Dunedin Venues Management Limited.
North v South
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2.05pm
Referee: Mike Fraser (Wellington)
TAB odds: South $1.55, North $2.35
North Island: Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), Richard Buckman (Hurricanes), Hadleigh Parkes (Blues), David Raikuna (Blues), Lachie Munro (Blues), Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Luke Braid (Blues) (captain), Faifili Levave (Hurricanes), Filo Paulo (Blues), James Broadhurst (Hurricanes), Toby Smith (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Josh Hohneck (Chiefs). Reserves: Tom McCartney (Blues), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes), Fritz Lee (Chiefs), Scott Waldrom (Chiefs), Frae Wilson (Hurricanes), James Marshall (Hurricanes), Sherwin Stowers (Blues).
South Island: Kurt Baker (Highlanders), Buxton Popoali'i (Highlanders) Kendrick Lynn (Highlanders), Adam Whitelock (Crusaders), Kade Poki (Highlanders), Tom Marshall (Crusaders), Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), Luke Whitelock (Crusaders), Matt Todd (Crusaders), Scott Fuglistaller (Highlanders), Tom Donnelly (Crusaders), Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders), Chris King (Highlanders), Jason Rutledge (Highlanders) (captain), Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders). Reserves: Ma'afu Fia (Highlanders), Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders), Culum Retallick (Highlanders), Tim Boys (Highlanders), Willi Heinz (Crusaders), Glenn Dickson (Highlanders), Patrick Osborne (Crusaders).
