Shields has no 'Kiwi baggage'

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones stated the obvious, when he explained why New Zealand import Brad Shields was fast-tracked into the team.

“He is a good player,” Jones said, when quizzed by the media in the lead-up to the opening match of the three-Test series against South Africa – starting at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Jones said that Shield, who has ‘done his apprenticeship in New Zealand’, is ‘determined’ to make a fist of playing for his adopted country.

New Zealand-born forward Shields, who qualifies for England via his English parents who both emigrated to New Zealand when they were children, only met his new teammates for the first time this past Sunday – after flying 7,655 miles from Wellington to Durban.

The England coach denied that Shields will be driven by the desire to prove the All Black selectors and coach wrong – having being snubbed by the Kiwis for international selection.

“He understands that he gave it his all in New Zealand and they didn’t select him,” Jones said.

“You don’t want players who carry around baggage, you want players who see an opportunity and want to take it.”

With a calf injury ruling Joe Launchbury out of the match, Shields has been named on the bench as cover for the second row, despite playing almost all of his rugby for the Hurricanes at blindside flank.

Sheilds’ contentious decision to pledge his international future to England, despite playing all his domestic rugby in New Zealand and playing for their Under-20 national side in a Junior World Championship victory over England in 2011, has been heavily criticised.

The England head coach, however, was adamant that Shields had been worthy of his selection.

“He [Shields] was undoubtedly nervous about coming into the squad,” said Jones.

“It is difficult when you come to a different team. Particularly when you have been playing your domestic rugby in another country.

“But he has fitted in extremely well and everyone knows he is genuine about wanting to play for England.

“The transition for him has been very good.”