Brad Shields has claimed that facing the All Blacks is the “next best thing” after donning the white shirt of England against the country of his birth.

The Hurricanes back-rower was born and raised in New Zealand, and spent the entirety of his professional career in the capital before signing for Wasps in England.

Shields qualified for the Red Rose through his parents and made his Test debut versus the Springboks in July 2018 before lining up against the All Blacks later that year.

There may have been mixed feelings for some but not for the 34-year-old, who relished the opportunity of taking on New Zealand.

Eddie Jones ‘quirky’ preparation

“It was probably one of my fondest rugby memories. I was able to play against some of my mates who I had just finished playing with in New Zealand,” he told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“If you can’t play for the All Blacks, the next best thing is to play against the All Blacks. Getting a starting role was pretty surreal for me. When any team is playing the All Blacks, it’s a pretty special week.

“I remember Eddie [Jones] was doing this quite quirky thing where each team we played in the end-of-year tour, you would go down to the meeting room and there were cardboard cutouts of the most targeted players in that game.

“I think Baz (Beauden Barrett), Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick were the three that were lined up through the hallway, so you’re walking past the meetings and you’re seeing a nearly 7ft Brodie Retallick staring back at you.

“It was quite interesting but it also made you think about what was coming.”

Nick Evans: England are no longer just hard to beat, I’m worried for the All Blacks

England v All Blacks in 2025

Shields will certainly be an interested observer when the two teams collide at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham this weekend.

New Zealand will be looking to take the next step on their way to a Grand Slam, while England will be hoping to make it 10 successive victories.

The hosts are led by head honcho Steve Borthwick, who was the forwards coach for the Red Rose when Shields was part of the English set-up.

Being a former lock, he likes to have the fundamentals in place, such as set-piece, defence and the aerial game, but they have also shown a willingness to be a bit more expansive.

“They would be silly not to explore both styles of game,” Shields said.

“The one game that comes to mind is that South Africa game in Wellington where physically South Africa dominated the All Blacks and it’s something I think England have got a fair idea of how they could impose themselves in that sense as well.

“Steve Borthwick is a tight forward at heart, so when you’re a head coach I don’t think you lose that sort of mindset.

“I know being in that environment with him, he’s real particular about how he wants to play around the set-piece and the physical battle.

“But also the niggle off the ball and how you get into other teams’ minds. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few fireworks and a bit of handbag stuff.”

READ MORE: England team: Five takeaways as Steve Borthwick ‘brings out his big guns’ amid Pom Squad ‘flex’