All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell will return from Japan at the end of the season in order to press his case for Test selection ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The 32-year-old has been playing in Asia since the conclusion of the previous global tournament but provides a timely boost for new boss Dave Rennie.
Frizell’s absence was considered a factor in the All Blacks’ subpar performances under former head coach Scott Robertson, but he will now be available for selection in 2027 to potentially provide better back-row balance.
He has re-signed for Tasman and the Highlanders, and will be eligible for the former ahead of the 2026 NPC campaign.
His rugby ‘speaks for itself’
“I think Shannon’s rugby speaks for itself. His goal to come back home and work his way into the All Blacks team coincided with our goal of having a quality player like Shannon come back,” Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph told reporters.
“His experience and confidence coming into the group are going to be good for us next year.”
Frizell’s return will obviously aid the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific in 2027 but ultimately the flanker’s main quest is to earn his Test place back for the upcoming World Cup in Australia.
“I’ve been over there a few times and seen him play. He dominates that competition, pretty much how he dominated Super Rugby at times here. Big squads need depth in all positions, and he obviously provides a lot of that,” Joseph, who lost out to Rennie for the All Blacks job, said.
The back-rower, who has earned 33 caps, made his Test debut in 2018 but initially struggled to make an impact at the highest level.
Critical in 2023 World Cup run
However, Frizell found his feet during Ian Foster’s tenure and was critical in their run to the World Cup final in 2023.
Having featured for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan since then, the powerhouse forward will head back to New Zealand looking to impress for the Highlanders and regain his All Blacks spot under Rennie.
“He’s played a lot of rugby, he’s been to World Cups, and he’s hungry. He’s coming back to try his very best to make the All Blacks, and we provide a pathway for that,” Joseph added.
“He’s going to have stiff opposition, and we can benefit from that. When players are hungry to wear the black jersey again, it’s good for New Zealand Rugby, and it’s certainly good for us as the Highlanders.
“We get to feed off his motivation to come back and do something different. We’re really happy that he’s returning to New Zealand.”
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