Hurricanes loose forward Brad Shields has reportedly rejected a call up from the All Blacks, signing for English Premiership club Wasps in a push to play international rugby for England, according to the Telegraph .
Shields, 26, was believed to have been wanted by Steve Hansen to replace Jerome Kaino after the flanker was ruled out of the remainder of the Northern Tour due to injury.
However Sheilds is believed to have spurned the call up to sign for the English club, with Canterbury's Luke Whitelock was bought into the squad instead.
The Hurricanes flanker would qualify to play for England through his parents, allowing him to be fast tracked into Eddie Jones' side.
He is believed to want to see out his current contract with the Hurricanes, meaning departure at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Shields played for the Baby Blacks under-20's side, but his desire to play international rugby appears to have seen him trade the silver fern for the English rose.
The defection of Shields isn't the first case of a New Zealand born player representing England, with the likes of Mako Vunipola, Ben Te'o and even skipper Dylan Hartley ditch the nation of their heritage.
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