NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson and All Blacks coach Scott Robertson answer questions on about selection policy.
Video / NZ Herald
Richie Mo’unga might not be the only All Black returning to New Zealand next year to target a place in the World Cup squad, with another former influential figure likely to move home.
Mo’unga is expected to return home next year after playing a third season for Japanese side Toshiba.
The Herald understands destructive blindside flanker Shannon Frizell is likely to follow suit.
After playing a leading role alongside Mo’unga in guiding Toshiba to successive League One titles last weekend, Frizell is now off contract with the Japanese club.
Frizzell is, however, expected to re-sign a one-season extension with Toshiba before eyeing a return to New Zealand.
Speaking after Sunday’s Japanese final, Frizell told RugbyJP.com: “It’s likely that I’ll be in Japan for another season. Firstly, I’m going to have a good break with my family and then we’ll see what happens.”
Mo’unga and Frizell have grown close during their two years as Toshiba teammates, having an integral influence on the side’s success under former Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.
The prospect of Mo’unga and Frizell returning home next year – in time for the July tests which would allow an 18-month runway to the 2027 World Cup in Australia – signals significant reinforcements could be on the way for Scott Robertson’s All Blacks. Former Crusaders wing/centre Leicester Fainga’anuku is on the verge of a test comeback this year after a two-year sojourn with French club Toulon.
Mo’unga’s plans have been the subject of widespread interest after he knocked back an attempt from NZ Rugby to prise him out of the final season of his Toshiba contract.
Frizell’s future, though, has largely flown under the radar.
Despite only playing 33 tests between 2018 and 2023, Frizell definitively established his presence as the All Blacks preferred blindside in his last two years with the national team.
His rampaging performance in the All Blacks victory against the Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium stamped his authority as the only man – before Wallace Sititi’s arrival – to assume Jerome Kaino’s mantle.
Richie Mo'unga (left) and Shannon Frizell share a moment. Photo / Getty Images
At the 2023 World Cup All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan made his frustrations at Frizell’s imminent departure to Japan clear, suggesting he had plenty more to give and that more should have been done to retain his services.
Two years on, Frizell remains a big, physical force on both sides of the ball and a valuable lineout asset. He’s dominated the Japanese scene, scoring 21 tries in 35 appearances including a hat-trick in one match this season against the Honda Heat, with frequent yellow cards his only fault.
While Sititi made a stunning impression from blindside last year in a season in which he was recognised as the world breakthrough and All Blacks player of the year, his future is expected to be at No 8 with Ardie Savea shifting to the openside role vacated by Sam Cane.
In Frizell’s absence, the All Blacks handed Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau opportunities to assume the blindside mantle – all with degrees of success but lacking the desired consistent authoritative impact.
With Sititi expected to shift to the back of the scrum, the perennial question remains: who will fill the No 6 jersey for the All Blacks?
Beyond this year, should Frizell indeed return home with Mo’unga, a starting loose forward trio comprising Sititi, Savea and Frizell would pack serious punch.
Super Rugby teams will be lining up to lure Mo’unga and Frizell too.
Mo’unga will be expected to rejoin the Crusaders but after witnessing Savea’s inspirational impact on Moana Pasifika this season the championship-winning playmaker could further enhance his legacy by electing to connect with his Pacific culture.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph would love to lure Frizell back to Dunedin, where he spent six years, to bolster their forward pack, but he is sure to attract widespread interest from rival Super Rugby teams.
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
