‘That’s what happens’: Ian Foster’s insight on the four returning All Blacks

When the All Blacks line up for their national anthem on Friday night in Lyon, they’ll stand brothers-in-arms alongside a returning quartet of stars who will be eager to make their mark.

Flanker Shannon Frizell and utility Jordie Barrett will make their 2023 Rugby World Cup debuts against Italy following lengthy stints on the sideline with injuries.

Frizell, 29, took his game to an all-new level during a sensational Rugby Championship campaign – and was even compared to legend Jerome Kaino – before picking up a niggly hamstring strain.

Barrett has also been available during the entirety of the World Cup up until this point due to a knee injury. Both players have been named in a full-strength starting side.

But they’re not the only players set to return. Prop Tyrel Lomax and regular skipper Sam Cane have been named on a bench that includes record-breaking All Black Sam Whitelock.

“It’s great. They’ve been on that list for a few too many weeks but that’s what happens. We used last week really well, I thought, in terms of getting their progression to play,” coach Ian Foster said.

“I’m really confident with Shannon and Jordie, we’ve been able to get them in the starting line-up. With Tyrel, there is a good chance for him to get some time under his belt off the bench. We all know how much we rate him.

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‘With Sam, he really needed to tick a few boxes at the first two training sessions this week, which is why we gave him time to do that, by starting him off the bench.”

Last week, Shannon Frizell opened up about his “boring” stint on the sidelines as he hinted at an imminent return to international rugby.

Frizell was a force to be reckoned with earlier this year, with the loose forward making the No. 6 jersey his own during the All Blacks’ unbeaten start to their season.

But things took a turn. Frizell was struck down just before New Zealand’s clash with rivals South Africa at Twickenham, and the All Blacks’ winning streak came to a chaotic end in his absence.

“I won’t say what we have been missing with his absence but I will talk about Shannon,” Foster added.

“Clearly, he’s been challenged on the role of six this year. He’s been there a few years and we’ve challenged him through the Rugby Championship and really been delighted.

He’s brought, in many ways, a simplicity to his game. He’s focusing on the quality of his ball carry, the quality of his tackle and his connections with the likes of Ardie (Savea) and Sam (Cane) and now Dalton (Papali’i) this week.

“He’s improved his work-rate and he’s improved his quality in those two areas, and that’s all we want out of him for Friday.”

The All Blacks have “everything to play for” at OL Stadium when they take on Italy at the Rugby World Cup. Following their loss to France earlier this month, another defeat would all but end their campaign.