Former All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell announces Highlanders return, will play for Tasman in 2026

Shannon Frizell at the Rugby World Cup at France in 2023. Photo / Andrew Cornaga, Photosport

Former All Black Shannon Frizell is returning to New Zealand Rugby later this year as he bids to make the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The 32-year-old has agreed to play for Tasman in the 2026 NPC season and re-joining the Highlanders for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

That should see him become All Blacks eligible for the November internationals, like his former All Blacks and current Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo teammate Richie Mo’unga who signed an 18-month contract when Scott Robertson was the All Blacks’ coach last year.

That will give Frizell roughly 12 months to prove to new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie why he should be on the plane to Australia.

Frizell left New Zealand after the 2023 Rugby World Cup to make the move to Japan where he’s won back-to-back League One titles, with Todd Blackadder as his coach.

“We’re really pleased to have Shannon returning to New Zealand and look forward to seeing him back in action in the NPC later this year,” New Zealand Rugby interim chief executive Steve Lancester said.

“Any time a player with international experience comes home is a boost to the game here and it’s great to see Shannon’s desire to represent his provincial union, Super Rugby club and country remains as strong as ever.”

His return is also a big boost for the Highlanders and their coach Jamie Joseph is excited to have him back in the team.

“Shannon returning to the Highlanders is a real bonus for the club, and it’s great to see a seasoned international player prepared to return to Super Rugby to have a crack at making the All Blacks,” Joseph said.

“He knows our culture well, he’s a hard‑working player, and he’ll fit seamlessly into our team.”

The Herald reported last year that Frizell was expected to return home, following in the footsteps of Mo’unga, who has signed through to the end of 2027.

The 31-year-old remains committed to returning to New Zealand in his quest to play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite Robertson’s departure in January.

But the return of 33-test All Black Frizell will add some extra spice to the battle of who should wear the No 6 jersey going forward.

Nobody has been able to hold down the starting spot with the likes of Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, and incumbent Simon Parker given the chance to prove themselves.

While Sititi made a stunning impression from blindside in 2024 in which he was recognised as the world breakthrough and All Blacks player of the year, he spent most of last year at No 8, with Ardie Savea shifting to the openside role vacated by Sam Cane.

Blackadder didn’t play for the All Blacks in 2025, while Jacobson, Finau and Parker both had varying degrees of success but lacked the desired consistent authoritative impact.

Rennie would have also been paying close attention to Frizell over the recent years, having also coached in Japan with the Kobe Steelers.

Frizell has missed most of the Japanese season with a broken hand but is expected to return in time for the Japan Rugby League One playoffs.

The Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo are the back-to-back defending champions and are coached by Todd Blackadder.