Mixing
Brad Shields says he’s as English as his grandparents’ CHIP BUTTIES – as Kiwi-born star takes Chris Robshaw’s place to face South Africa
14th June 2018,
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BRAD SHIELDS says he's English as his grandparents' homemade chip butties.
The New Zealand-born flanker will make his full debut against South Africa - despite never playing a Premiership game.
Boss Eddie Jones axed ex Red Rose skipper Chris Robshaw for Shields - and in doing so the Aussie incredibly became the first England boss to drop him in SIX years.
Kiwi Shields, a former New Zealand Under-20s international, has been hammered by critics from World Cup winners Clive Woodward to Lewis Moody after failing to crack it as an All Black.
But proving his allegiances, the 27-year-old who qualifies through his Essex-born mum and Yorkshireman dad, said: "It's obviously my blood heritage.
"My grandparents were very English and the way we were brought up there was a lot of English heritage - all the teaspoons on the wall, chip butties on Sunday afternoons. That sort of stuff.
"My grandparents definitely made sure we knew where we come from and about our heritage. If I didn't want to be here I would have said no.
"But I really want to take my skills to the next level and England is a perfect fit for me because of my family and my heritage.
"I'm really happy and honoured to be part of this group and I'm willing to put everything into this jersey.
"My goal was to go to the next level and after what I've been through in New Zealand it was time to move on and try something new.
"I thought I might as well make the most of it. I didn't think it was going to come this early, to be fair. I'm quite surprised to be in the situation right now."
Shields was thrown in for his debut off the bench in the First Test defeat to the Springboks.
Now he has it all to do to help save the series and take things to a decider in Cape Town with a win in Bloemfontein tomorrow.
Meanwhile, 65-capped Robshaw faces a fight to win back his place for that third and final Test after being bombed from the 23 altogether.
But Jones insists this isn't the end of Robshaw's international career.
He said: "I’m sure everyone out there admires Robshaw - admires the courage and tenacity he plays with every week, admires how much he gives every week.
"I’m sure they’re not saying he’s written off. I’m sure they’re saying he’s still got a chance to play for England.
"Chris was obviously very disappointed, but was not overly surprised.
"He's a very hard taskmaster and realises that he hasn't been in great form. We're trying to find out why, but at the moment we can't. Hopefully we'll get him right for the Third Test.
"Chris will come back from this. The door hasn't been closed. Players go through ups and owns, just like teams go though ups and downs.
"Everyone wants to be consistent and that's what we're all aiming to be, but at times players' form drops off a little bit.
"Chris accepts that and accepts that he'll have to do some work to get back into the side and I'm sure he'll do that.
BRAD SHIELDS says he's English as his grandparents' homemade chip butties.
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