But the return of 33-test All Black Frizell will add some extra spice to the battle of who should wear the No 6 jersey going forward.
Nobody has been able to hold down the starting spot with the likes of Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, and incumbent Simon Parker given the chance to prove themselves.
While Sititi made a stunning impression from blindside in 2024 in which he was recognised as the world breakthrough and All Blacks player of the year, he spent most of last year at No 8, with Ardie Savea shifting to the openside role vacated by Sam Cane.
Blackadder didn’t play for the All Blacks in 2025, while Jacobson, Finau and Parker both had varying degrees of success but lacked the desired consistent authoritative impact.
Rennie would have also been paying close attention to Frizell over the recent years, having also coached in Japan with the Kobe Steelers.
Frizell has missed most of the Japanese season with a broken hand but is expected to return in time for the Japan Rugby League One playoffs.
The Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo are the back-to-back defending champions and are coached by Todd Blackadder.
The Highlanders have been approached for comment.