Imagine walking down a corridor, only to be met by a near 7ft cardboard cutout of Brodie Retallick staring you down. That's exactly what Brad Shields, the New Zealand-born ex-England international, experienced during his time with the English squad. Facing the All Blacks, the very embodiment of rugby excellence from his homeland, Shields describes the encounter as nothing short of surreal.
Brad Shields, who transitioned from the Hurricanes to Wasps, qualified to play for England through his parents. His debut came against the Springboks in July 2018, but it was the match against the All Blacks that stood out for him. "It was probably one of my fondest rugby memories," Shields reflected on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. He cherished the opportunity to challenge his former teammates, stating,
"If you can't play for the All Blacks, the next best thing is to play against them."
The preparation for such a high-caliber match included some unique strategies by England's then-coach, Eddie Jones.
"I remember Eddie doing this quite quirky thing where he had cardboard cutouts of the key players from the teams we were facing,"
Shields recalled. This psychological tactic was meant to gear up the players mentally, making them constantly aware of the giants they would face on the field.
As England prepares to face New Zealand again at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, all eyes will be on how the team adapts under the guidance of Steve Borthwick, former forwards coach and now head coach. Known for his emphasis on fundamentals like set-piece and defense, Borthwick also encourages a more expansive style of play. "Steve is a tight forward at heart," Shields noted. "He’s particular about how he wants to play around the set-piece and the physical battle but also the niggle off the ball."
With England aiming for their tenth consecutive victory against an All Black team eyeing a Grand Slam, the stakes couldn't be higher. The upcoming clash promises not just a test of physical prowess but strategic acumen, possibly sprinkled with "a few fireworks and a bit of handbag stuff," as Shields playfully predicts.
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Imagine walking down a corridor, only to be met by a near 7ft cardboard cutout of Brodie Retallick staring you down. That's exactly what Brad Shields, the New Zealand-born ex-England international, experienced during his time with the English squad. Facing the All Blacks, the very embodiment of rugby excellence from his homeland, Shields describes the encounter as nothing short of surreal.
Brad Shields, who transitioned from the Hurricanes to Wasps, qualified to play for England through his parents. His debut came against the Springboks in July 2018, but it was the match against the All Blacks that stood out for him. "It was probably one of my fondest rugby memories," Shields reflected on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. He cherished the opportunity to challenge his former teammates, stating,
"If you can't play for the All Blacks, the next best thing is to play against them."
The preparation for such a high-caliber match included some unique strategies by England's then-coach, Eddie Jones.
"I remember Eddie doing this quite quirky thing where he had cardboard cutouts of the key players from the teams we were facing,"
Shields recalled. This psychological tactic was meant to gear up the players mentally, making them constantly aware of the giants they would face on the field.As England prepares to face New Zealand again at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, all eyes will be on how the team adapts under the guidance of Steve Borthwick, former forwards coach and now head coach. Known for his emphasis on fundamentals like set-piece and defense, Borthwick also encourages a more expansive style of play. "Steve is a tight forward at heart," Shields noted. "He’s particular about how he wants to play around the set-piece and the physical battle but also the niggle off the ball."
With England aiming for their tenth consecutive victory against an All Black team eyeing a Grand Slam, the stakes couldn't be higher. The upcoming clash promises not just a test of physical prowess but strategic acumen, possibly sprinkled with "a few fireworks and a bit of handbag stuff," as Shields playfully predicts.