Patient Shields content to wait for future to unfold

What’s a few more days, when you’ve been waiting as long as Brad Shields has.

By most people’s measure, the Hurricanes captain has all the attributes of an international rugby player. Chances are he’ll finally become one at some stage this year.

June will be good, but maybe it will be November.

Until then, Shields is trying his best not to think of England’s upcoming test series against South Africa and whether New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will allow Eddie Jones to pick him. A decision was thought to be due by now, leaving Shields free to concentrate on the Hurricanes’ clash with the Sunwolves tonight.

‘‘I haven’t heard anything yet. It’s out of my control and my focus is on the game this week, and has been for the last couple of weeks. All I need to worry about is playing good rugby and whatever happens from here is out of my control,’’ Shields said yesterday.

Shields joins English club Wasps after the Super Rugby season and is available to play for England due to his parentage. He could’ve sat tight until then, but has instead sought a dispensation from NZR to be selected by England in June.

‘‘It’s about opportunity. If I can play some good footy and be available to whatever’s coming up and put my name forward as much as I can, then hopefully things crop up.

‘‘This has cropped up but, look, as I said I just need to keep playing well and not let it distract me and make sure that I can do my best for the Hurricanes this weekend,’’ said Shields.

Easier said than done, when you’re this close to test footy.

‘‘Well for the past seven years it’s probably been the same talk to myself [to not get distracted].

‘‘First things first, if you don’t play good footy there’s no chance of anything else.’’

Shields insists he hasn’t talked to England coach Jones and that he won’t be swayed to stick with New Zealand, if the All Blacks belatedly came calling.

‘‘I’m heading off after Super Rugby. That was the opportunity that presented itself last year and [I felt I] needed try something knew and that’s how the road’s gone for me and I’m pretty happy with where it’s heading.

‘‘When I signed over in England [playing test rugby] was obviously part of the plans.

‘‘As a player, your goal is always to play at that next level and that’s my goal and always has been.’’

Shields will play at No.8, when the Hurricanes play the Sunwolves, and be joined in the loose forward trio by Ardie Savea and Reed Prinsep. Savea had been bracketed with Sam Henwood, but got through a good contact session on Wednesday and was declared fit for the first time since injuring ribs on March 24.

The other big addition to the Hurricanes’ 23 is that of outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder.

He’s expected to get some time off the bench, having been out of rugby since October with a shoulder injury.

‘‘It’s been a long time coming and we’re all really excited and glad he can put the boots back on. He’s one of those guys that’s so resilient and that rubs off on other guys,’’ Shields said of MilnerSkudder.

‘‘He’s a had a really tough run and you see him in the gym doing his prehab and his rehab every single day and just working [his fingers to] the bone and he’s just one of those guys you need in your squad, just with the type of person that he is.’’