Rugby World Cup final loss still motivates Shannon Frizell ahead of All Blacks return

Shannon Frizell’s last game for the All Blacks was the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, a game which ended in heartbreak as the All Blacks fell by 12-11 fighting with 14 players.

Frizell was involved in the drama early, yellow carded for an awkward cleanout on Bongi Mbonambi early that left the Springbok hooker injured.

After Frizell returned to the field from his 10-minute sin-binning, captain Sam Cane was sent from the field shortly afterward resulting in the All Blacks playing with 14 players for 80 per cent of the final.

Whilst the All Blacks back row were costly that night, the combination of Frizell, Cane and Savea proved to be a winning formula, particularly with Frizell who solved the No.6 problem for former coach Ian Foster.

Now back in New Zealand with Tasman following three seasons in the Japan Rugby League One with Toshiba Brave Lupus, Frizell has been called back into the All Blacks squad ahead of the Bledisloe.

“I’m excited to be back. Kind of nervous as well, but it’s good to be back,” Frizell told media on Monday.

“I enjoyed the rugby in Japan, get to learn a different type of rugby. It’s a little bit different from New Zealand.” 

While his highlights back for Tasman made an instant impression, clips of Frizell steamrolling over Auckland defenders went viral, he conceded he doesn’t feel like he is ready for the step up to Test level.

“I feel like I’m not there yet, but I know I’m capable of doing the job,” he said.

After coming up just short in 2023, Frizell said he immediately had thoughts of making it back to make amends.

The short-term deal with NZR has the 2027 World Cup in mind.

“I feel like when I left when you don’t get the job done [at the World Cup], you kind of have that feeling in the back of my head, maybe I’ll still feel like I can make best rugby still in front of me, and I’ll give myself another chance.”

He is currently signed on a short-term contract that runs through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

After making his NPC return he is eligible for All Blacks selection, helping Rennie solve a back row puzzle that is now missing captain Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson, two first choice starters.