England want Brad Shields, but NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew says hold your horses
Eddie Jones is reportedly keen to have Brad Shields available for England's test against South Africa in June.
New Zealand Rugby has poured cold water on the idea that Brad Shields could play for England against the Springboks in June while still being on the Hurricanes' books.
The Telegraph in London had reported that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in Britain had cleared the way for England coach Eddie Jones to pick Shields, as he is joining Wasps next season.
Shields qualifies for England through his parents and there seems to be an urgency to fast-track the 27-year-old loose forward into their system with next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan beckoning, The Telegraph said.
But NZR chief executive Steve Tew said he hadn't heard from the RFU.
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"We have had no request from the RFU to release him so it's news to us," Tew told a press conference in Wellington on Thursday.
"I don't think you can jump to the conclusion that he is available from our point of view. He is signed to New Zealand and he is contract to play for New Zealand teams until the end of Investec Super Rugby."
The Super Rugby final is on August 4.
Shields, however, could be available to play for England against the All Blacks at Twickenham in November.
NZR is obliged to release players for the international window in June if it is in the players' contracts, but Tew said that was not relevant in this case because Shields' contract made him available for New Zealand teams.
Steve Tew says Brad Shields is contracted to play for NZ rugby teams until the end of Super Rugby on August 4.
"We are obligated to release players who have signed to play for other countries so they have made themselves unavailable for New Zealand. We always make sure that occurs and that is of particular relevance to the Pacific countries. But in this instance, Brad has signed a contract that makes him available for New Zealand teams."
The Telegraph had reported Shields could play for England against the Springboks in June, then return to play for the Hurricanes to see out the Super Rugby season before heading north to finally link with glamour club Wasps.
- Stuff
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