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'They've become a little more desperate' - Former All Black on English rugby
By Alex Fisher
Brad Shields' call-up for England's three-Test tour of South Africa shows Eddie Jones' side lack depth and are desperate for new faces, according to former All Black Justin Marshall.
Shields – who qualifies through his parents – was among seven new faces in Jones' 34-man squad named on Thursday, the Wasps-bound flanker having been released from his New Zealand Rugby contract.
Head coach Jones defended the decision to select Hurricanes skipper Shields, saying: "My responsibility is to pick England qualified players – I don't decide the regulations."
But Marshall slammed the move, suggesting it shows England's previous strength was now on the wane.
"They were trucking along nicely and really struggling with their selections because they had a good group of talent and weren't sure who to play," he told Radio Sport.
"But now they're seeking outside players. How all of a sudden has that talent dissipated to the point that they're now having to look for better options?
"What this whole Brad Shields saga indicates to me is that all of a sudden they've become a little more desperate than they looked.
"They're nowhere near as rhythmic as they were and I think they're a lot more vulnerable."
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That’s why we threw that game against you in the pool stages by playing Libbok at 10 who couldn’t split the uprights for love or money.
Go to commentsSo sad and sorry to hear yesterday about Alex Wyllies passing. When I first went to Lancaster Park , Grizz was the captain and no8. A fearsome legend. His time coaching Canterbury 1982-86 , was one of the highlights of my life. 82-85 , was Canterbury’s record equalling Ranfurly Shield era, culminating in the “Match of the Century” , when we lost it to Auckland . I was at that game and the rest, it was one for the ages. Inspired by Grizz Canterbury nearly won it, after being 24-0 down. In 1986 Canterbury thrashed the touring Wallabies, who went on to beat the All Blacks 2-1 in that test series.Alex Wyllie inspired 2 of the players who were huge parts of his Shield team, to become great coaches in there own right. They are of course , Wayne Smith and Robbie Deans . Canterbury /Crusaders and international legends. Robbie Deans was the goal kicking hero on many occasion in that era, none more than when he kicked the equalizing penalty against Counties in the first up Shield challenge, a game I was at. As with the rest of those games. Wayne Smith scored the try to claim the Shield in Wellington a week earlier It was a pleasure to meet Grizz on a number of occasions. Rest in peace Grizz. A red and black legend , first class. He was also an All Black and one of our greatest AB coaches.
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