New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew has played down talks of Brad Shields’ availability for England’s June tour of South Africa.
Sky Sports suggest the Hurricanes captain is available for selection in Eddie Jones’ squad to play the Springboks in the June test, despite being contracted to play in the Super Rugby during that time.
Shields is eligible to play for England through his parents and speculation of his first England call up has been growing in recent months.
Chief executive Steve Tew says that all camps shouldn’t jump to any conclusions over Shields’ availability just yet.
Sky Sports reveal he told the New Zealand Herald:
“He [Shields] has signed to New Zealand and he is contracted to play for New Zealand teams until the end of Super Rugby.”
“I don’t think you should jump to the conclusion that he will be available from our point of view.”
Shields and the Hurricanes have three regular season games and up to three playoff matches after the June international window and chief executive Tew expects Shields to stay until his contract expires.
“We have a New Zealand player who is contracted to be here until the end of that competition and that would be our expectation.”
Hurricanes captain Shields is set to join Wasps when the Super Rugby season ends in August.
