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Steve Hansen says Brad Shields will be 'emotional' when England face All Blacks

November 9, 2018

Mitchell was a former All Blacks coach in the early 2000s with Shields turning down a shot at representing New Zealand last year to play for England.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said it will be an "emotional" time for Kiwis Brad Shields and John Mitchell when England face the All Blacks at Twickenham in London on Sunday morning.

Hansen has previously coached Wales against the All Blacks, with the current New Zealand coach admitting it was tough.

He said Shields will feel an array of emotions, but Hansen was not quite sure how former All Blacks coach Mitchell - who is now part of the England coaching staff will feel.

"It's emotional, in saying that John (Mitchell) has been away from New Zealand for a long time so I don't know if he still harbours those emotions or not," said Hansen.

"He's (Shields) going to be lining up and facing the haka, facing a team that he has always wanted to play for.

"Unfortunately we didn't pick him and for his sake I say unfortunately and now he has an opportunity to play against them (All Blacks).

"Some of his great mates are in that team, so I think he will find it emotional probably more so than Mitch (John Mitchell)."

Shields had a chance to suit up for the All Blacks last year during their northern hemisphere tour, but the former Hurricanes turned down the opportunity to play for England.

"I think you wouldn't be human if you didn't (feel emotional), he's (Shields) a quality man and he's a good rugby player," said Hansen.

"So he'll deal with it in his own way, but it will tug at his heartstrings as I said you wouldn't be human if it didn't."

Mitchell coached the All Blacks from 2001-2003, his team finished third at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, going down to Australia in the semi-final stage of the tournament 22-10.

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