Former All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell linked with shock NZ return in bid to play at 2027 World Cup - reports

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

All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell has been linked with a shock return to New Zealand in a bid to make next year’s Rugby World Cup squad.

According to the Post, the 32-year-old will link up with the Highlanders for the 2027 season where he will have one season to prove to new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie why he should be on the plane to Australia.

Frizell started for the All Blacks at blindside flanker during the last World Cup in France but departed after the tournament to play in Japan where he’s been since with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, playing alongside fellow former All Blacks Richie Mo’unga and Seta Tamanivalu.

The Herald reported last year that Frizell was expected to return home, following in the footsteps of Mo’unga, who will be back later this year, signing an 18-month contract when Scott Robertson was the All Blacks’ coach, 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.

The Highlanders have been approached for comment.