Shannon Frizell's 'two-match' ban isn't the punishment it's made out to be
Shannon Frizell won’t feature for the All Blacks next weekend when they square off with the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup match of the year.
But is that really news?
The 27-year-old loose forward appeared in court this week on assault charges after a late-night incident in a Dunedin bar earlier this year.
Frizell didn’t enter a plea and was offered diversion by the judge, which means that he avoids any charges but must complete a rehabilitation programme of sorts.
Following a misconduct hearing, New Zealand Rugby has decided that a two-game ban is appropriate for the flanker. Without knowing the intricate details of the case, it’s impossible to say whether two matches is a fair response.
Earlier this year, Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said that he would be “surprised” if any charges were to be laid on Frizell, based on his understanding of the case.
The issue many will have, however, isn’t necessarily with the length of the ban. Two games may seem like a light punishment but, again, unless you have all the details, it’s impossible to say one way or another.
What many should take umbrage with, however, is the impact of the ban.
First and foremost, few would have expected Frizell to suit up against the Wallabies next weekend anyway, whether he was available or not.
While the blindside flanker had another storming season for the Highlanders, his performance against Fiji earlier this month would not have convinced anyone that the 27-year-old is the best man to wear the No 6 jersey for the big matches this year.
Frizell has consistently performed for the southerners in his four Super Rugby seasons to date, showcasing an excellent blend of soft skills and raw physicality. That form has never quite translated into the black jersey, however.
That doesn’t mean he won’t get there eventually – it wasn’t until four years after his All Blacks debut that Jerome Kaino really asserted himself on the international stage. In the here and the now, however, Frizell is not New Zealand’s first-choice blindside flanker.
Akira Ioane has shown in just a handful of test matches that he could have a big future in the black jersey. Dalton Papalii, if fit, is probably also ahead of Frizell in the pecking order while there’s every chance that either Ethan Blackadder or Luke Jacobson could be given a shot on the blindside flank, despite playing their July matches in other positions.
Compared to his fellow squad members, Frizell is also the least versatile of the All Blacks’ current loose forwards, which means a bench spot was also unlikely come next weekend, despite him turning out in the No 19 jersey against Fiji in the final test of July.
All in all, Frizell was never likely to run out next weekend against the Wallabies – and is banning a player from taking part in a game they were unlikely to feature in in the first place really a punishment?
The other game that’s being included in the two-match ban is a Highlanders match that Frizell sat out earlier in the year when the news of the accusations first broke.
At the time, however, Highlanders CEO Clark indicated that Frizell’s absence from the match wasn’t punitive.
“I think it is important for us all to remember at this time, these are all allegations and no charges have been laid,” he said at the time.
“However, these have been a distraction for the player, and the team. And in the best interests of everyone concerned, we are going to omit Shannon from the team this week.”
Now, NZR appear to be retrospectively changing the story surrounding Frizell’s omission from the game against the Reds.
Again, without knowing the details of the case, it’s impossible to argue that a two-match ban isn’t appropriate – but given the games that are being counted towards that stand-down, it almost appears to be a token gesture on NZR’s behalf.
If New Zealand’s governing body felt the charges were unfair, they should have come out in support of their employee. NZR’s head of professional rugby and performance, Chris Lendrum, didn’t give that impression following Frizell’s court appearance, however.
“We are disappointed at this incident and the subsequent assault charges for Shannon,” he said. “Given the seriousness of this incident, we felt that a two-match stand down was warranted.”
All in all, it’s not a great look for New Zealand Rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
I wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to comments