Shannon Frizell returns to All Blacks squad for Bledisloe Cup

Former Toshiba Brave Lupus flanker Shannon Frizell has returned to the All Blacks squad for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being named in a 34-man squad for the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies.

The 32-year-old returned to New Zealand in June after spending three seasons with Japan Rugby League One outfit Toshiba alongside Richie Mo’unga during which time both players were unavailable for All Blacks selection.

© JRLO

Tonga-born Frizell, who has 33 caps for his adopted country, was due to re-qualify for his home nation of Tonga - who he represented in age group rugby and football before moving to New Zealand in 20215 - and Wales, who he qualifies for through his Swansea-born adoptive father Andrew, from 28 October.

The Highlanders loose forward signed a new deal with New Zealand Rugby in April and his call-up ends the fanciful hopes of struggling Tonga and Wales in luring the bulldozing back rower away from the All Blacks fold.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, who led Kobe Steelers to their first League One title last season, and fellow selectors, Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes, have retained the majority of the squad which lost the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour to South Africa 3-1.

Frizell’s former Toshiba teammate Mo’unga, who helped steer the Japanese club to back-to-back League One titles and scooped the MVP award in 2024 and 2025, features along with fit-again former captain Scott Barrett.

The 6ft 4in, 18-stone powerhouse became eligible for the All Blacks after making his return following an injury-hit season in Tasman’s 57-33 loss to Otago in the NPC on 11 September.

Frizell, who Toshiba were keen to retain before turning their attentions to Scot Jack Dempsey, made only two appearances in Japan last season as Todd Blackadder's side's ‘three-peat’ bid ended in a quarter-final loss to eventual runners-up Kubota Spears.

Frizell, Todd Blackadder and Mo'unga all left Toshiba this summer - © RugbyJP.com

Former Tonga u20s goalkeeper Frizell, who scored 21 tries in 37 games in Japan, played 60 minutes against Auckland and his first full 80 this year in the win against Bay of Plenty last week.

The Tongatapu-born brute has been fast-tracked from the Test rugby wilderness into the All Blacks setup for the Bledisloe Cup double header ahead of the Northern Hemisphere stage of the inaugural Nations Championship in November.

New Zealand will face Scotland, Wales and England ahead of the Nations Championship Finals weekend which will be held at Allianz Stadium Twickenham from 27-29 November.

The 34-man squad, as provided by New Zealand Rugby, is as follows (age, Super Rugby Club, province, Test caps): Forwards (19)

Hookers

Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 112) (Captain)  Asafo Aumua (29 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 26) Samisoni Taukei'aho (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 45)

Props  Ethan de Groot (28 / Highlanders / Southland / 45)  George Bower (34 / Crusaders / Otago / 29)  Xavier Numia (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 5)  Tyrel Lomax (30 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 55)  Fletcher Newell (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 41)  Pasilio Tosi (28 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 17)

Locks  Scott Barrett (32 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 89)  Josh Lord (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 17)  Fabian Holland (23 / Highlanders / Otago / 15)  Tupou Vaa'i (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 51)

Loose Forwards Simon Parker (26 / Chiefs / Northland / 10)  Shannon Frizell (32 / Highlanders / Tasman / 33)  Anton Segner (25 / Blues / Auckland / 2)  Ethan Blackadder (31 / Crusaders / Tasman / 15)  Peter Lakai (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 14)  Wallace Sititi (24 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 23)

Backs (15)

Halfbacks Cam Roigard (25 / Hurricanes / Counties Manukau / 24)  Cortez Ratima (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 24)  Kyle Preston (27 / Crusaders / Wellington / 5)

First Five-Eighths Richie Mo'unga (32 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 57)  Josh Jacomb ( 25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 0)

Midfielders Jordie Barrett (29 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 85)  Quinn Tupaea (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 29)  Timoci Tavatavanawai (28 / Highlanders / Tasman / 2)  Rieko Ioane (29 / Blues / Auckland / 89)

Outside Backs Fehi Fineanganofo (24 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)  Leroy Carter (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 10) Josh Moorby (28 / Hurricanes / Waikato / 5) Will Jordan (28 / Crusaders / Tasman / 61)

Beauden Barrett (35 / Blues / Taranaki / 145)  Damian McKenzie (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 81)

Unavailable due 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).