England back Ben Te'o says Brad Shields will be treated like anyone else when he joins the squad for the tour of South Africa next month.
England's preparations continue without Kiwi recruit Shields, who still leads the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.
Eddie Jones, the England coach, has just named 35 players for a match against the Barbarians this weekend in what is seen as vital preparation for the three-test tour of South Africa.
Shields, however, will be a Kiwi clip-on, but Te'o downplayed any criticism.
The Auckland-born Te'o, who came to English rugby from league's NRL, told the Telegraph: "I think maybe people on the outside of the squad would have more of an issue with it,
"I think they would see it as: 'Why are you bringing this guy, he hasn't even played in the Prem?'
"But I think the squad that we have, is so focussed on winning, on being the best and getting better, that if you could bring in someone that qualifies and the rules say they can come in, then why not bring them in?
"That's what I feel about Brad Shields coming in here, and I think the rest of the boys would want him to come in and be the player he is, to contribute.
"When I came in, there was a warm welcome. I didn't play in Australia – I was the tour guide! I trained, obviously, but I took everyone to the nice cafes. Wherever they wanted to go, I'd give them the info.
"But they were happy that I was coming in because I was bringing something different. They could see potential. Everybody just wants to win."
Shields — who has English parents — is among about seven New Zealand-born players who are in and around England considerations