Social media goes wild as 'Jerome Kaino 2.0' carries a third of the Crusaders team with him to score a rampaging try

All the talk in the early stages of Super Rugby Aotearoa has concerned the young players putting their hands up for debut selections in the All Blacks squad but it was one of the (slightly) more experienced who re-announced himself to the world on Saturday night.

The Blues’ Hoskins Sotutu, Cullen Grace of the Crusaders and Highlanders man Marino Mikaele Tu’u have all received plenty of praise for their performances in 2020 but it was 9-cap All Blacks Shannon Frizell who brought the Highlanders to life in their match-up with the Crusaders.

Frizell earned his first call-up to the New Zealand national team in 2018 after only migrating to the country from Tonga three years prior. While the rangey loose forward has clocked up a few tests here and there for the All Blacks over the last two years, he’s operated as a bit of a dark horse in 2020.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 1

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 1

That dark horse status is well and truly gone after his barnstorming showing against the Highlanders’ northern rivals.

Frizell started the match by expertly reclaiming the first-up Highlanders kick-off and went about his business like a demented mole in the early stages of the game.

It was right at the end of the first quarter that Frizell really made his mark, however.

The Highlanders were attacking the Crusaders on the right-hand flank and powerful carries from Jona Nareki and Dillon Hunt handed the home team possession inside the Crusaders’ 22. From there, Aaron Smith’s bullet pass found Frizell 10 metres out from the goal line and the former Tongan age-grade footballer exploded onto the ball.

Frizell made contact with six defenders on the way to the Crusaders line and carried five of them over the chalk as he slammed the ball down for a try.

Moments later, Frizell was stripping a Crusaders attacker in the carry while his defensive work was impressive throughout the first 40 minutes of the match.

Unsurprisingly, social media went wild in response to Frizell’s performance:

NZ rugby fans: Man these young loosies Grace and Sotutu are the future!

Shannon Frizell: *ahem* Hold my beer. pic.twitter.com/rBqhjBl80D

— Koro Vaka'uta (@The_KorOcle) July 4, 2020

Shannon Frizell really is Jerome Kaino 2.0 #HIGvCRU

— Chrumner Smith (@cs0mnersmith) July 4, 2020

The power of Shannon Frizell to score that.

Seven metres of a carry after beating the first defender.

A perfect example to young players on taking contact on your terms and fighting through contact. #HIGvCRU

— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) July 4, 2020

The break seems to have re-invigorated the Highlanders, after some great play Frizell drags about 4 Crusaders players over the line. TMO pending, checking a possible knock-on. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvCRU

— Bottomless Rugby (@BTL_Rugby) July 4, 2020

Try all day long! Barnstorming run from Frizell! #HIGvCRU

— Cornflake (@CornflakeBTP) July 4, 2020

That is an absolutely unreal finish from Frizell! #HIGvCRU

— Russell Rhicard-Tierney (@andthefoxsays) July 4, 2020

Frizell putting his hand up

#HIGvCRU

— Lou ♤ (@loumnandi) July 4, 2020

Anything you can do I can do better 😂😂 Try to Shannon Frizell!#HIGvCRU #SuperRugbyAotearoa #OffSeasonTourOfDuty#TassieProud #FinzUp 🦈 pic.twitter.com/xBZjxD6d8o

— Tasman Mako 🦈 (@TasmanMako) July 4, 2020

https://twitter.com/IssieAtch/status/1279317948839198720

🇹🇴 power

Mean try #HIGvCRU

— P (@PTMLSM91) July 4, 2020

Shannon Frizell seems to be everywhere!! #HIGCRU #SuperRugbyAotearoa #AotearoaNZ 🏉

— Adam Clapp (@Clappy678) July 4, 2020

Shannon Frizell is one hard guy….that drive yo!! #HIGCRU

— Frank Degzi Kidega (@TheRealDegzi) July 4, 2020