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'It’s funny people say New Zealand rugby isn’t physical: Ex-England international Shields on being back home
By Adam Julian
Brad Shields is back home in Wellington and flourishing for the Lions in the NPC. On Saturday he played the entire 80 minutes in the sixth successful defence of the Ranfurly Sheild – a 56-25 thrashing of Counties Manukau.
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Shields was even more influential the previous week. On August 27 he helped Wellington defeat Canterbury, featuring six current or former internationals, 36-31 in Christchurch. Four days earlier he made a colossal 24 tackles in the grim 7-0 blunting of Tasman.
Wellington resides at the top of the NPC table with an unblemished 6-0 record. They have won 18 consecutive matches stretching back to August 2022.
“The average age of the game has got younger from when I started playing. That’s a big change,” Shields told RugbyPass.
“The younger guys are confident, keen to learn, and good to be around but you’ve got to drive good standards all the time and help pave the way.”
Shields left New Zealand in 2018 after a storied career with the Hurricanes. He played 103 matches and helped the franchise win their only Super Rugby title in 2016. Between 2015 and 2017 the Hurricanes won more games (42) than any other club.
Overlooked by the All Blacks he went to England qualifying to play internationally through his Essex-born mum and Yorkshireman dad. He was capped eight times but missed selection for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
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He played against the All Blacks a year earlier in a Test at Twickenham. England blew a 15-0 lead to lose by one. Sam Underhill was controversially denied a late try. His coach was the polarising Eddie Jones.
“I liked him and Steve Borthwick. Eddie got the best out of me mentally which drove my game to the highest levels it had been,” Shields said.
“He’s a bit obsessive as some people are at the elite level but he was very detailed and straight up. Often, he’d made headlines on purpose to take the spotlight off the boys. I didn’t mind that and besides he’s an entertainer and I think we get a bit stale in rugby sometimes.”
England’s World Cup build-up has been stale. They’ve only won four of their last 12 Tests suffering embarrassing defeats at Twickenham to Argentina (29-30), Fiji (22-30), and France (10-53). Shields believes; however, it would be unwise to write off the English.
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“England can be a major threat if they click. If guys like Jack Willis and Ben Earl string games together in the back row they’ll be dangerous. They’ve got experience in the pack with the likes of Dan Cole, Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes. Manu Tuilagi can be a beast in midfield and Freddie Stewart is class under the high ball,” Shields said.
“At the moment, it’s just more competitive across the board. Look at the way Samoa took it Ireland. There are properly half a dozen teams that can realistically win the World Cup.”
Wasps won’t be winning anything anytime soon. On 17 October 2022, the club entered administration, resulting in relegation from the English Premiership and all staff being made redundant.
Between 2018 and 2021, Shields started 48 out of 50 Premiership games alone for Wasps. He departed owed a significant sum from unpaid image rights.
“It was a stressful time, and it was sudden how it all finished. We had some clues in the media that things were bad but the lack of respect from some people at the top was disappointing, and there’s still guys without contracts struggling to get on their feet,” Shields said.
“The rugby side of it was an awesome experience. I made lifelong friends but the way it ended leaves a sour taste.”
A brief spell at Perpignan rejuvenated Shields. He played solidly and enjoyed the large crowds and buzz for the sport in France.
From the humble suburb of Taita, home eventually beckoned. Shields. has brought some Northern Hemisphere grit to the Wellington Lions.
“It’s funny people say New Zealand rugby isn’t physical but in the Tasman game, we attempted 250 tackles.
“The Canterbury game was more your classic Wellington Lions. We put an emphasis on starting strong because we knew Canterbury goes the whole 80.
“Our set piece was under pressure we’ve got some work to do on that, but we scored a couple of ripper tries from nowhere and that is a real Wellington thing.”
No Ruby. I actually enjoyed the game. The French didn't play that well yet it was good enough to beat the All Blacks.
People who use derogatory language on "public site aren't usually that "Bright" Ruby.
As I said" You can't change a "Discipline problem in 10 days"
The All Blacks still made "Very bad decisions" and that is a Discipline Problem"
When rugby players feel they have no other option they usually kick. They did the same against South Africa.
Usually the Psychology is "Fear" The All Blacks seem to have quite a bit at the moment. That's not physical fear Ruby. That's a fear of "Failure"
I thought that Gilbert Enoka got rid of that years ago.
Too many "Jinkers" and not enough "Thinkers"
In business the worst thing you can do to someone, is give them a job they can't perform. That's what's happened to Foster.
Is it "possible for New Zealand to beat Ireland or South Africa in the quarter finals?
I would rate them @ $2.75 against Ireland and @ $2.95 against South Africa.
Isaac ! I have to go now. You have a great day and be good to your Mum.
Come on Isaac, no need to speak like that mate. You're not on the Reservation now. You are on a public chat site about Rugby. I bet you didn't like sledging when you were playing?
It doesn't seem that you are very bright Isaac. Never mind you can still enroll for school. It's never too late Isaac..... Ah! No mate it probably is. . . Hope you enjoy France v All Blacks. Don't forget to turn the T.V around at half time Isaac!
Hello Forward Pass - My name is Breandan Spratt. Spratto is a nick name.
I see you use a pseudonym. Most people who use pseudonyms do it for one reason.
They don't want people to know their "Identity" I wonder why Forward Pass?
So Forward Pass please inform the World what "lies" I have told in my post.
Show some balls before you call someone a "Liar" and reveal your name. Now there's a challenge, "Me old son"
The only people who believe in Santa and the Tooth Fairy are you and the rest of the NZRFU.
Waiting to hear from you son.
South Africa playing in Super Rugby kept the competition going because of the massive T.V Advertising in South Africa, generated all the revenue. N.Z is a small audience and the NRL and the AFL rule Australia.
Another mistake by the New Zealand Rugby Union, in as much they should have sat down and talked instead of being arrogant, with a stuff you attitude.
Super Rugby has gone backwards since we are not playing South African teams. Getting young guys accustomed to those Big Bad Boks Forwards was a prelude what to expect in Test Rugby.
A completely different "Style" of Rugby was a great experience for young players.
I can see New Zealand Pacifica Players "going home" All it will take is "One passionate Wealthy Businessman or two" to get behind a Pacifica team.
If you took players with Pacific Heritage out of New Zealand Rugby there would be "No game"
New Zealand Rugby has milked them dry over the decades, giving very little back.
They are allowed to play overseas and still be selected for their country.
The fact is; "If you want to play the best you need to play in France, England or Ireland" not in Super Rugby or the ITM Cup.
Great to have him back in the NZ game. He is the type of world class player that made NPC and Super Rugby such strong competitions in the past. That middle layer of players who are good enough to play international rugby but can't crack the ABs has been completely gutted, it's so good to see some of them trickling back.