Sawt Falasteen - Shields fills Savea's Hurricanes boots after Wasps heartache

New Zealand-born Shields has returned to the Hurricanes, who he left in 2018 to play overseas for twice European champions Wasps and the England national team.

After winning the last of his nine caps for England in 2019, he learnt first-hand how precarious club finances can be in rugby.

Shields was recovering from a thumb injury in October 2022 when his club Wasps folded abruptly.

The cash-strapped 2004 and 2007 European Cup winners sacked their players overnight.

"We were basically told 'you don't have a job tomorrow'," Shields told AFP on Friday.

"It was a bit of a shock to have that taken away in the blink of an eye.

"Seeing grown men crying and really upset about a club they love and respect."

Shields found a new club quickly, joining French side Perpignan, but it meant uprooting his young family.

"We loved our time in England, but it ended abruptly," he said.

"It was pretty taxing -- dropping everything, organising a movers truck and all that in a couple of weeks.

"Some people (at Wasps) didn't have a contract, so we considered ourselves extremely lucky."

While Shields had the distraction of French rugby, it meant thrusting his wife and two small children into a new language and culture.

"It was probably tougher for them than it was for me," he added. "My kids found it quite difficult in school.

"It certainly taught myself and my family a lot about stress levels and anxiety.

"We're better for the experience. It's something which will make us more resilient in the future."

- 'Big shoes to fill' -

After a brief spell in France, Shields returned last year to the Hurricanes, where he was part of the side which won the 2016 Super Rugby title.

The season starts in late February.

Shields inherits the skipper's armband from Savea, presently playing in Japan having won the 2023 World Player of the Year award after barnstorming displays for the All Blacks at last year's World Cup.

"They are really big shoes to fill. Ardie is a pretty special player and person," Shields said.

"It's a big challenge, but the best thing about the Hurricanes is that we have got a group of guys who have been around now for three or four years.

"They are really hungry to be successful," he added after the Hurricanes reached the quarter-finals last year.

The loose forward will have a front-row seat to a battle royal for the Hurricanes' No. 9 shirt when All Blacks scrum-halves TJ Perenara and Cam Roigard go head-to-head.

Roigard has posted impressive times in pre-season fitness tests with Perenara looking to bounce back from rupturing his Achilles tendon in 2022.

"We're pretty spoilt for choice. They are both quality players," he added, but refused to say who will start at scrum-half.

"I'm not putting any money on it. It's going to be pretty close."

Having been on the fringes of All Blacks selection before he played for England, Shields ended up on the losing side against New Zealand when the hosts lost 16-15 at Twickenham in 2018.

Nearly five years since his last international appearance, Shields now qualifies to switch nations and could potentially play for the All Blacks under World Rugby's eligibility rules.

With first-choice blindside flanker Shannon Frizell out of contention for New Zealand while playing club rugby in Japan, the All Blacks' No 6 shirt is up for grabs.

Shields played for New Zealand Under-20s earlier in his career, but is cautious about his prospects of donning the famous black shirt at senior level.

"To get the opportunity to play international rugby again would be a dream come true, but it's not something that's gone through my mind," said Shields, who turns 33 on April 2.

"I wouldn't have a clue," he said of his All Blacks chances, "and if I put too much thought into things I can't control, then it stops me playing quality rugby."

L.AbuAli--SF-PST