Canes captain ‘100 per cent good to go’
‘‘These are the bits you train for; like all the preseason, all the grinding that you do during the start of the year.’’
Brad Shields isn’t sure what all the ‘‘worry’’ has been about. Of course he’s playing today.
Well, at least that’s what the Hurricanes captain is saying, ahead of the Super Rugby quarterfinal clash with the Chiefs. The reality is rib cartilage injuries don’t repair in a week and Shields will need to push through the pain barrier to play any part in proceedings.
‘‘You know deep down if you’re good to go and I’ve been feeling really good the last few days and I think they [team management] are pretty confident in my decision,’’ Shields said after yesterday’s captain’s run at Westpac Stadium.
Shields and Wes Goosen, who is going through concussion protocols, both donned red vests at Hurricanes training on Wednesday. The bibs are meant to give team-mates a visual reminder that the player wearing them isn’t to be tackled.
‘‘Just a few bikes and a couple of runs. Did training yesterday. Just light duties early on in the week,’’ Shields said of his workload. Any contact work?
‘‘Did a little bit of contact, yeah.’’ And liked it?
‘‘I loved it.’’
So fine to play, then? ‘‘Yeah, s..., yeah. Let me say that again. Yes, I am 100 per cent good to go,’’ Shields said.
However, it might take a painkilling injection to finally confirm his participation.
‘‘Not sure yet. Still got to talk to the doc on that sort of front but, if I’m pretty confident that it’s not really too bad, then I’ll just go out there and play [without pain relief].’’
The bottom line is that succumbing to the pain after five minutes would be selfish and limit the team’s fresh legs later in the match, so Shields won’t play if he harbours any doubts. After all, this is too important an occasion.
Much has been made of the Hurricanes’ recent form, but that’s irrelevant now. All that matters is winning tonight, by whatever means, and then doing the same next week and the week after.
Do that and the title coming back to Wellington.
‘‘These are the bits you train for; like all the pre-season, all the grinding that you do during the start of the year,’’ Shields said.
‘‘The season is a very long season and sometimes you go through a bit of a flat patch and when you get to this time it’s almost like, man, it’s a weight off your shoulders. You’re into it, you’re excited and it’s a new round-robin sort of thing.’’
While Shields has declared himself fit, the Hurricanes will have to wait until 3pm today to see if Goosen is able to take his spot on the bench. That’s when his protocols end.
For now, Goosen is still suffering no concussion symptoms, following last Friday’s high shot from Johnny Fa’auli. will be