After playing for Tasman in the NPC, Rennie has called Frizell into his 34-man squad as a contender for the problematic No 6 jersey.
Former captain Scott Barrett has been named to make his comeback after spending most of 2026 on the sidelines with a back injury.
He returns to the All Blacks for the first time since losing the captaincy following Scott Robertson’s departure at the start of the year, and takes the place of the injured Patrick Tuipulotu in the squad, while Sam Darry has been dropped.
With Ardie Savea facing an extended spell on the sidelines, Codie Taylor has been named captain for the two Bledisloe Cup tests.
The 35-year-old was dropped for the decisive third test between the All Blacks and Springboks in Soweto, but returned as captain one week later in Baltimore once Savea left the tour with a shoulder injury.
“It’s great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell,” said Rennie.
“Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we’re thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards.
“Congratulations also to Codie Taylor on the captaincy. Codie is a top man who has huge mana. His leadership as tour captain was important for us during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie’s absence.
“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We’ve held it since 2003 and we don’t take that for granted. Australia will be a real challenge.
“It’s now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we’re excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park.”
Otherwise, the 34-man squad contains 32 players who travelled to South Africa and Baltimore for the Greatest Rivalry Series.
All Blacks squad:
Forwards: Codie Taylor (c), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi
Backs: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Richie Mo’unga, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.
Unavailable to injury: Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee).
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.