Canes sad ‘peerless’ Shields is moving on

This one sticks in the Hurricanes’ craw.

Losing players overseas is an occupational hazard for New Zealand Super Rugby coaches. What upsets the Hurricanes’ Chris Boyd this time, is that Brad Shields shouldn’t have to go.

But you can only be surplus to the All Blacks’ requirements so long and, at 26, Shields will leave for English club Wasps in August. When he does, the loose forward will leave behind a few unhappy campers.

‘‘Brad’s just been without peer, as far as service to the Hurricanes. He’s deeply connected to the Hurricanes as a team, as he is the [Wellington] Lions, he’s a great individual and gives himself entirely to the organisation,’’ Boyd said.

The franchise has been fortunate in recent years that so many of their senior pros grew up aspiring to be Hurricanes. Men such as Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara and Julian and Ardie Savea grew up in the region and developed a deep connection to the team at a young age.

But where they’ve juggled their franchise footy with All Blacks commitments, Shields’ contribution to the Hurricanes has been unstinting. That’s why Boyd has no problem describing his service as without peer.

‘‘The fact that he has a desire to play international rugby - and hasn’t been able to do that despite some pretty consistent performances for the Hurricanes over the past two or three years - has meant that he’s chosen to utilise his English passport and goes over to play at Wasps with a view to trying to make the English team if he can,’’ said Boyd.

‘‘We’re all incredibly sad that he’s been put in that position where he’s had to make that decision.’’

The All Blacks were allegedly ‘‘furious’’ to find Shields was throwing his lot in with Wasps and England. There was even a suggestion he turned down the chance to join New Zealand’s touring party, after blindside flanker Jerome Kaino was injured.

"Brad's just been without peer, as far as service to the Hurricanes." Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd on Brad Shields, above

The reality is that the Wasps and England situation had been sorted for some time, as the All Blacks knew full well. As for turning down a chance to assume Kaino’s spot - which was eventually taken by Luke Whitelock - Shields was effectively on paternity leave at the time.

Shields played for the Barbarians in 2016 and it’s understood he received an invite for this year’s match against the All Blacks in London. But with his partner due to give birth to their first child, he reluctantly declined.

Whitelock was among a handful of New Zealanders in the Barbarians squad who went on to appear for the All Blacks in their midweek game against a France XV.

He then played at No 8 in the tourending test against Wales.

Whether that might’ve been Shields is a moot point. He’d made other plans.