Wales and Tonga coy on Toshiba flanker Frizell’s return to New Zealand

Toshiba Brave Lupus flanker Shannon Frizell will return to New Zealand this summer as he targets an All Blacks return which officially ends Tonga and Wales' hopes of an unlikely allegiance switch.

Two-time League One winner Frizell, 32, has put pen to paper on a one-year deal and will be available to play for Tasman in the NPC - the country's round-robin National Provincial Championship - which starts in July.

The 33-cap loose forward could still be fast-tracked into the All Blacks setup for the inaugural Nations Championship and the Greatest Rivalry tour to South Africa if Dave Rennie pushes for his inclusion, then the New Zealand Rugby board could sign off on an exemption.

Ex-Tonga u20s football international Frizell, who has been limited to just two appearances and 131 minutes of rugby this season due to hand injuries, initially joined Toshiba on a two-year deal following the 2023 World Cup.

Frizell returned for his second appearance of the season against Kubota on 28 March - © Toshiba

Toshiba’s abrasive back-rower inked a one-year extension to join international colleague Richie Mo’unga in completing a three-year overseas stay in Fuchu. They will both leave for New Zealand following the conclusion of the League One season in June.

Frizell, who last represented his adopted country at the 2023 World Cup, was due to become eligible to represent Tonga and Wales in October.

RugbyJP.com asked the Tonga Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union if they had approached the sought after blindside flanker.

Both national unions declined to comment.

Frizell, who does have a British passport, was due to become eligible for Wales again through his Swansea-born stepfather Andrew from October 2026. He was previously linked with a move to the Newport-based Dragons in 2017.

The Highlanders returnee, whose older brother Tyson has played rugby league for Wales, Tonga and Australia, made his All Blacks bow in 2018 and has appeared at two World Cup tournaments.

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said: “Shannon returning to the Highlanders is a real bonus for the club, and it’s great to see a seasoned international player prepared to return to Super Rugby to have a crack at making the All Blacks. He knows our culture well, he’s a hard-working player, and he’ll fit seamlessly into our team.”

NZR Interim Chief Executive Steve Lancaster said: “We’re really pleased to have Shannon returning to New Zealand and look forward to seeing him back in action in the NPC later this year. Any time a player with international experience comes home is a boost to the game here and it’s great to see Shannon’s desire to represent his provincial union, Super Rugby club and country remains as strong as ever.” Todd Blackadder's Toshiba return to action next week against relegation-threatened Mitsubishi Dynaboars on Saturday 18 April in Kanagawa.