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'We have to be better': Highlanders chief executive speaks out after Shannon Frizell assault allegation
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark has called for his players, and the franchise as a whole, to “be better” in the wake of Shannon Frizell’s alleged involvement in an assault on a woman in Dunedin last weekend.
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Police investigations are ongoing following reports of an assault, of which Frizell is alleged to have been involved in, at a bar at around 2:30am on Sunday.
The 27-year-old loose forward, who has been arguably the best players for the Highlanders this year, has subsequently been omitted from the club’s side to face the Reds in the opening fixture of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman this Friday.
Fronting media on Wednesday, Clark said that while Frizell has not been charged by police, it was in the “best interests” of the involved parties for the 13-test All Black to sit out their upcoming clash against the newly-crowned Super Rugby AU champions.
“I think it’s important for us all to remember at this time that these are allegations and no charges have been laid,” Clark said.
“However, this has been a distraction for the player and the team, and in the best interests of everyone concerned, we’re going to omit Shannon from the team this week.”
Clark confirmed the Highlanders have investigated the matter, but added the franchise have left the matter in the hands of the police.
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He said he would “be surprised” if any charges were laid against Frizell.
“I’d be surprised. That’s just based on what I know, so it’s a personal opinion,” Clark said.
He noted the decision to stand Frizell down from this weekend’s match was “important” as the incident has been “been a massive distraction” for both the player in question and the franchise as a whole.
Clark assured that the Highlanders have given Frizell the necessary support as he claimed that, “as an employer”, the franchise have “responsibilities” to support their employees.
This isn’t the first time in the last 12 months that the Highlanders have found themselves at the centre of off-field controversy.
Ngani Laumape has been omitted from the Hurricanes side to face the Waratahs in their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener on Friday. #SuperRugbyTransTasman https://t.co/QqFuig9Cvb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 12, 2021
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Earlier this year, six players – including star playmaker Josh Ioane – were suspended for one match for breaching team protocols after police were called to a party at Ioane’s house.
It came after the Highlanders apologised after seven of their players were involved in a drunken night out in Queenstown last July.
Clark said lessons need to be learned from the players’ indiscretions in order to avoid future situations such as these.
“For me, the challenge is making sure that these guys are prepared professionally and they don’t compromise themselves in a compromising position.”
He believes the Highlanders, New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association are doing enough to prepare players for the pitfalls that come with being a professional rugby player, but acknowledged there are challenges that come with “dealing” with “young men” in the profession.
“I think, for me, that’s an ongoing challenge for us when we’re dealing with 50 young men from the ages of 19 to, say, 30 and that’s something we strive to be better at every day,” Clarke said of how players are prepared for a career in professional rugby.
The Highlanders will be without under-fire All Blacks star Shannon Frizell for their opening Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash against the Reds in Dunedin on Friday. #SuperRugbyTransTasman https://t.co/2rmmUfj7cC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 12, 2021
“Any time something happens, it’s completely unacceptable, and we do our very, very best every time to learn from each of those and try and get better.
“It’s something we’ll address again through the season, and at the end of the season, to be better again, because we have to be.”
Interim Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody said that, despite the loss of Frizell for the Reds clash, he has full faith in those selected to pick up a result at Forsyth Barr Stadium two days’ time.
“As far as on-field, Shannon’s a big part of our team. He’s been playing great footy for us, but I’ve got full faith in the guys to come in and do a job for us this week.
“We’re more just looking forward to starting a new comp.”
Kick-off for Friday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm [local time].
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Hi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
3 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
3 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to comments