Shields is a chip off old block
BRAD SHIELDS may not quite be as English as a chip buttie but the converted Kiwi, who tomorrow will start his first Test for his adopted country, cites a childhood passion for them as evidence of his bloodline.
The fast-tracking of the Hurricanes captain by Eddie Jones reached its logical conclusion yesterday when he was named at flanker in place of the axed Chris Robshaw for the second Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein.
It has been a whirlwind fortnight for Shields, and one not without controversy given his unusual route into the side. But with Robshaw off colour at Ellis Park and England wanting another lineout
forward, the 27-yearold ❑ has shot to the front of the queue.
“I’m pretty stoked; it’s exciting,” said Shields. “I’m really happy and honoured to be part of this group and I’m willing to put everything into this jersey.
“I’m 100 per cent committed. If I didn’t want to be here I would have said no, but I really want to take my skills to the next level and England is a perfect fit for me because of my family and my heritage.
“My grandparents were very English and the way we were brought up, there was a lot of English heritage – all the teaspoons on the wall, chip butties on Sunday afternoon, that sort of stuff. My auntie still lives in Marlow. My parents moved to New Zealand when they were young, but definitely made sure we knew where we come from and about our heritage.”
The genesis of Project Shields is cloaked in a degree of mystery. Both Jones and Shields suffered memory failure yesterday when asked about whether the first approach to him had come from England or Wasps, who he will join in the autumn.
Either way it is pretty clear how highly Jones rates a player who represented New Zealand at Under-20 level but could never quite crack the All Blacks. Deployed off the bench for 45 minutes last week, he has now shunted aside one of the coach’s favourites in Robshaw.
“My job is to pick the best 23 for England each week and he is not in the best 23,” said Jones. “Chris was very disappointed but was not overly surprised. He’s a very hard taskmaster himself and realises that he hasn’t been in great form.”
The other change sees Joe Launchbury replacing Nick Isiekwe. Neither Robshaw or Isiekwe make the bench. Newcastle’s Mark Wilson is among the replacements with Danny Cipriani also called up in place of Piers Francis.
“I’ve been impressed by Danny’s diligence,” said Jones. “He came in with a difficult reputation but he’s been absolutely outstanding. He’s desperate to play for England and he’s really worked hard. He’s dropped some body fat, got fitter and made the transition from playing like a club player to playing like an international, and that’s why he deserves this opportunity.”
South Africa have brought Frans Malherbe into a front row which also features Tendai Mtawarira for the 100th time. Pieter-Steph du Toit replaces Jean-Luc du Preez at No7.
It is a pivotal game in the series and a big one for England after four successive Test defeats. The walls feel like they are closing in.
To their credit, in the circumstances, the squad found time midweek to visit a village near Durban where orphaned children are resettled with foster parents by the LIV Foundation. When sports teams think they are having it tough, a little perspective never does any
harm.
CHRIS ASHTON could return to his native North-west in an attempt to keep his World Cup dream alive.
The former England wing has told Toulon he wants to leave, with Sale and Bristol vying for his signature.