Shields of dreams: The ultimate pro
Richard Watt knows that as well as anyone. He’s been Hurricanes forwards coach throughout Shields’ career and did the same for Wellington before that.
Everyone’s a great fella and a fine player when the wins are flowing. It’s seasons such as Shields’ first as Wellington captain, when the team lost nine games in a row and was relegated, when the truly admirable step forward.
‘‘I think about that year from hell we had in 2014 and he led us through that campaign and for him to front the way he did after every game, all those losses and with the dignity and humility that he did it and the mana. It was hard coming to work on Mondays but he was always there, always looking forward to the next game,’’ Watt said.
Watt’s one of those blokes with a genuine love for his players, someone who sees what they put themselves through, how brave they are, what challenges they face off the park.
You could probably get him to speak glowingly about all of them. Shields is special, though.
‘‘I don’t like putting players ahead of players but, jeez, he’s the full package, Brad Shields. He’s a good man, good character, good leader, good rugby player. He ticks every box,’’ Watt said.
‘‘He’s good to coach. I’ve coached players over the years and they get to a point where they think they know everything and all of a sudden they become hard to coach because they don’t listen. Brad’s always open-minded, he’s always working with you to get better for himself and the team.’’
Shields will take up a contract with English club Wasps at the end of this season. Watt will be among the many people sad to see the blindside flanker go.
‘‘He’ll be a good husband, a good father, a good mate, a good son, a good uncle. He’s just a great bloke. It’s all down to his parents,’’ Watt said.
It’s his parents’ English ancestry that has allowed Shields to play for England, starting with this month’s three-test series against South Africa. New Zealand meet England in November and it’s that game that’s helping push Coles, the Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker, along in his rehab from knee surgery.
Coles would rather have stayed friends, than foes, but you can’t have everything.
‘‘I’m gutted. I would’ve loved to play one more game with him. If things go right I might be playing against him, but I would’ve loved to run out with him in his 100th but it’s not to be. He’ll be dearly missed in this team,’’ Coles said.