Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell has just three Super Rugby starts to his name, but what he's shown in limited minutes was enough for a call up to the All Blacks. Christopher Reive looks at five other All Blacks bolters.
Jonah Lomu was arguably the most dominant player in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Photo / Photosport
Jonah Lomu He developed into one of the most dominant wingersof all time, but in 1994, just one year removed from his days at Auckland's Wesley College, Lomu became the youngest ever All Black – a record he still holds. At 19 years and 45 days old, Lomu joined the All Blacks for a two-match series against France. The All Blacks lost both matches, and Lomu admitted he felt his inexperience was exposed by the French side. Fast forward a year, and Lomu was a dominant force in the 1995 World Cup and pushed on to have an incredible career, scoring 37 tries in 63 matches.
Kane Hames made the most of every opportunity he got in 2016. Photo / Photosport
Kane Hames The Tasman prop went from having no Super Rugby contract in March 2016 to manning a bench role for the All Blacks against Australia in August that same year. After a short stint with the Highlanders in 2015, Hames joined the Chiefs where he flourished late in the Super Rugby season. An injury to Joe Moody opened the door for Hames to be called into the All Blacks as an injury replacement, and with that came a debut for the national team. He wasn't selected against until the following year – again as injury replacement – but found himself in a starting role against South Africa in the 2017 Rugby Championship.
Ben Smith has become a pillar of the All Blacks back line. Photo / Photosport
Ben Smith Choosing an All Blacks team now, Ben Smith would have to be one of the first names on the list. But everyone starts somewhere, and Smith got his chance in 2009 for the end of year tour. Smith, then in his early 20s, was selected ahead of incumbent winger Joe Rokocoko and made his test debut in a 20-6 win over Italy. The versatile Highlanders back said at the time he didn't expect to be called up, and wasn't part of the squad again until 2012.
Asafo Aumua was called into the All Blacks before he had played Super Rugby. Photo / Getty Images
Asafo Aumua On the back of a devastating provincial campaign with Wellington, Aumua was called into the All Blacks for the 2017 Northern Tour before he had played a single match in Super Rugby. Aumua's star rose quickly after he scored a hat-trick in the under-20s World Championship final in the same year, and his game certainly translated from the age-group level to the top provincial level. At 20 years old, Aumua made his All Blacks debut against the Barbarians in a 31-22 win.
Rieko Ioane scores a try for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions. Photo / Photosport
Rieko Ioane The young Aucklander's inclusion into the All Blacks in 2016 was a rapid one. One moment he was in Rio de Janiero representing the country in Sevens at the Olympic Games, the next he was called into the squad for the 15-a-side game for the Rugby Championship as injury cover for Waisake Naholo. The Olympics competition finished on August 11, and on August 22, he was called into the All Blacks squad. He didn't make his debut until later that year on the end of year tour and has developed into one of the countries best.
