England head coach Eddie Jones happy with Brad Shields' start since New Zealand switch
Friday 8 June 2018 07:30, UK
Eddie Jones has been impressed by the way Brad Shields has adapted to life as an England player after joining up with the squad for the first time.
The flanker is poised to make his debut off the bench in Saturday's first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg - which is live on Sky Sports Action from 3pm - after flying almost 8,000 miles from Wellington to play.
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Currently with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, Shields will join Wasps next month amid much consternation about his eligibility to play, having previously represented New Zealand at U20 level.
Former Argentina international Agustin Pichot, now World Rugby's vice-chairman, has spoken out against Shields' selection - even though he qualifies to play for England through his parents.
Head coach Jones said: "Brad was undoubtedly nervous about coming into the squad and fitting in
"It's 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.
"He has been so impressive in learning information, gelling with and adding to the squad. He's very serious and driven."
Shields was part of the New Zealand side which won the IRB Junior World Championship in 2011, facing his new England team-mates Owen Farrell and George Ford among others in the final.
His ambition of All Blacks selection never materialised and, after Wasps' interest last year was followed by an approach from Jones, he chose to switch national allegiance.
Jones added: "I don't think he has anything to prove to the All Blacks. He understands that he gave it his all in New Zealand and they didn't select him.
"You don't want players who carry around baggage, you want players who see opportunity and want to take them."
Pichot's reaction on Twitter when presented with a photo of Shields in an England jersey was to lament that the "game is losing something" and Jones took a diplomatic line when responding to the former Pumas captain.
He said: "I've got a great comment I could use but I probably won't. I've been in enough strife for a while so I'll let that one go through to the keeper."
England captain Farrell has noted Shields has "constantly had his head in his book, learning in his way", while Ford remembers his presence in that world final in Padua seven years ago.
"Brad actually said to me 'were you part of that 2011 team?' and I said 'yeah, yeah'. We were just checking whether we did actually play against each other because it's a long time ago now," Ford said.
"He seems to be a no-nonsense guy who works as hard as he can and he's really physical, so he'll be a great addition for us."
