Rugby World Cup hopeful Shannon Frizell named for Tasman return

Shannon Frizell’s All Blacks return bid is finally set to get underway this weekend when Tasman venture south to face Otago in a heavyweight NPC clash.

The 33-cap All Black’s 2026 has been heavily troubled by injury, with him only making two appearances for former Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus in the recent season and missing the opening six rounds of the current NPC campaign, but Friday night will see him run out at No.8 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

With his hamstring injury now in the rear-view mirror, the 32-year-old can begin to make his case for a national recall ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which has drawn him home. It’s a fitting return, too, as it will offer Highlanders fans a chance to see their returning star in action under the roof in Dunedin.

Frizell will join emerging star Johnny Lee and Australia U20 product Lopeti Faifua in the loose forward trio for the match, keeping Brumbies rake Rory Scott on the bench.

 

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Frizell won’t be the only All Black leading Tasman, with David Havili at inside centre. Recent New Zealand U20 stars Eli Oudenryn, Jake Frost, Cooper Grant, Macca Springer, Cooper Roberts and Maloni Kunawave join Lee as names for the future in an up-and-coming Tasman squad.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

35 - 24

43 - 38

61 - 22

27 - 29

15 - 19

42 - 28

20 - 10

46 - 17

35 - 50

50 - 19

3

Wins

3

1

Streak

1

26

Tries Scored

25

31

Points Difference

17

3/5

First Try

2/5

3/5

First Points

1/5

2/5

Race To 10 Points

1/5

Tasman team to play Otago

1. Tom Heywood
2. Eli Oudenryn
3. Ryan Coxon
4. Jake Frost
5. Antonio Shalfoon
6. Lopeti Faifua
7. Johnny Lee
8. Shannon Frizell
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Cooper Grant
11. Macca Springer
12. David Havili
13. Cooper Roberts
14. Kyren Taumoefolau
15. Maloni Kunawave