The stunning stat that shows the All Blacks are better with Shannon Frizell
Flanker Shannon Frizell stole the show against the Springboks on Saturday night with a potentially career-defining performance in the All Blacks’ No. 6 jersey.
Starting at blindside flanker for the second week in a row, Frizell was simply brilliant against a physical South African pack.
Lining up opposite loose forwards Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese, Frizell outperformed the formidable Springboks trio with a masterful performance in Auckland.
The dynamic backrower put on a clinic.
Frizell sent the New Zealand crowd into a frenzy as he ran over Springboks fullback Willie le Roux for the All Blacks’ second try in the 15th minute. By the end of the Test, Frizell had run for more than 40 metres and made 12 tackles.
The New Zealand rugby public has been singing Frizell’s praises since the full-time whistle sounded at the South Auckland venue. Finally, after years of searching, the All Blacks have seemingly found their six.
“If he keeps going like that, that’s exactly what we’re looking for,” former All Black Steven Bates said on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.
“Consistency will be the key, but he came out of the gate and was a massive part of that first 15, 20 minute onslaught through his carries and through his physicality.
🤯🤯#NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/sS0c8GqGHX
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 15, 2023
“I think I said after the game, what really impressed me was how smart he played in the jersey,” Just Marshall added. “It’s not just about throwing it on and saying ‘I’m the All Blacks’ 6, I’ll just run hard, and you know me over if you can.’
“He could be devastating, he didn’t gravitate always toward the ruck, the times I saw him pick and go, other times he was a first receiver… he got the balance in his game back on, and he was tough.
“He got great footwork into his carries, it was a great performance.”
Some of the greatest players in All Blacks history have run out in the famous No. 6 jersey.
The late Jerry Collins was an icon of the legendary rugby team for a number of years, and Jerome Kaino was another enforcer who starred alongside inspirational captain Richie McCaw.
But the All Blacks’ search for their next long-term blindside has been both gruelling and frustrating.
Many have tried, but all have failed to cement their place in the starting side. Akira Ioane, Liam Squire and even Scott Barrett have looked to make their mark, but they haven’t been able to make their mark.
Frizell has also been given a number of opportunities, but the Highlanders’ backrower hasn’t been able to win over All Blacks fans or selectors – which is somewhat baffling considering his record.
As dual international Jeff Wilson discussed, Frizell has a 90 per cent winning rate when he starts Test matches at blindside flanker for the All Blacks.
“What significantly changed for Shannon is the fact he’s got significant and consistent game time in the All Blacks jersey,” Wilson said.
“He’s been in the All Blacks for a long, long time, but for a number of reasons he wasn’t able to build back-to-back-to-back games. I think he’s played in the last 12.
“But since he’s been selected at number six his debut, he’s played in only a third of those games. Akira Ioane, Liam Squire has had an opportunity, Ardie’s (Savea) has played there.
“His record when he starts at number six for the All Blacks, just in pure wins and losses, he’s won 18 of his 20 starts when he’s at six… he’s a part of a winning side (and) a winning side brings confidence.
“You see him now in the way he’s playing, he’s controlling and understanding his role and showing some versatility, showing some things.”
The All Blacks may have finally found their long-term successor to Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker. Shannon Frizell was brilliant against both Argentina and South Africa, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments