All Blacks admit Shields might have played against England
RUGBY UNION
Brad Shields came “very close” to New Zealand selection before opting to represent England, according to the All Blacks’ assistant coach Ian Foster.
The Wasps flanker will face the country of his birth in England colours this weekend when the All Blacks arrive at Twickenham to take on England head coach Eddie Jones’ side.
Shields was born in Masterton to English parents and played for Hurricanes before moving to Wasps and tasting Test rugby with England.
Foster said the 27-year-old knew how close he was to All Blacks honours when he headed to the northern hemisphere. “I guess the obvious answer, which really is the only answer, is that the selectors didn’t pick him,” the coach said yesterday.
“When you’re selecting a national team, there are a whole lot of good players that don’t quite make it. He knew he was knocking on the door, he’s a fine player and he was very close.
“No, I’m not going to give you reasons why we didn’t pick him, but what we do know is that he’s a quality person, he did a great job off the field with the Hurricanes and he was in the conversation a lot with us.
“There will be a bit of banter [among the players], I’m assuming, but everyone’s pretty focused on what we do. I think we’ve got over the stage of seeing him in a white jersey now.”
Shields represented New Zealand at Under-20 level but is now an integral part of Jones’ England set-up His decision to change tack and chase honours with England polarised opinion in the game, but Foster remained phlegmatic about the issue.
“It’s an issue I don’t really want to talk about. It is what it is in the current laws, he’s not alone,” he concluded. Tom Curry has been ruled out of the remainder of England’s autumn series by the ankle injury sustained against South Africa last weekend.
The Sale Sharks flanker limped off in the second half of last Saturday’s 12-11 victory at Twickenham and, after having the joint scanned, it was confirmed yesterday that he is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
“Tom is not available against New Zealand and has been ruled out of the rest of the series as well,” forwards coach Steve Borthwick said. “We don’t how long he’ll be out for, but he won’t be back for our next three Tests.
“He’s a fantastic young player and we saw that in the game-time he had against South Africa at the weekend. He has got a fantastic future ahead of him. I know that with his attitude he’ll come back in even better shape than he is now.” England have otherwise been given a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday’s Test against New Zealand.