mens
international
As it is All black people heading into their final home Test of the 2026 international season, they have received a much-needed boost ahead of the Wallabies clash at Auckland’s Eden Park.
33-Test loose forward Shannon Frizell has returned from a three-year stint in Japan refreshed and ready to go, having played the last three weeks with Tasman in Hilux NPC competition.
The 32-year-old has been named in Dave Rennie’s 34-man squad for the two Test matches against the Wallabies, joining Wallace Sititi, Anton Segner, Simon Parker, Peter Lakai and Ethan Blackadder in the loose forward mix.
Many had wondered if Frizel would return to the All Blacks environment in his first appearance for the team after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but assistant coach Jason Ryan dismissed the thought.
Whether the All Blacks pick Frizell in the 23-man squad to take on the top-flight, unbeaten Wallabies under Les Kiss this weekend remains to be seen, but Rennie and the coaching staff have the luxury of his availability.
“Yeah, he came in great form, and I think he got a lot of confidence playing his two or three games for Tasman, which was important,” Ryan told reporters in Auckland on Monday.
“You see, he was in Japan, and even though he didn’t play very much this season, he should have had these games.
“So he’s fully selected. He’s come in fresh and we definitely know what he’s capable of. And 2022 and 23 are a couple of special seasons for him, really. He’s played 30 or 40 Tests, and yes, that’s exciting.”
Ryan, who admitted he looked in the mirror after the “tough” tour of South Africa, explained the physical shape Frizell has returned to.
“Yeah, I think he showed enough insight in the last two Tasman games; I thought the first two his old lungs gave out a little bit, which they did.”
“It’s like he’s a big body, so he actually needs movement. He needs to run, and his physicality is really bulky in the chest and legs.
“So he’s got power. So match fitness was important. I think he’s got that now, regardless of whether he’s thrown right into the mix to begin with.”
“But I think he’s going to add some value in these two games, and he has to. We’ve got to get him in, and the quicker he gets in, the more he’ll get up to speed.”
