Thirty-three-test loose forward Shannon Frizell returned to Nelson from Japan three months ago with the goal of getting back in the All Blacks.
He only needed three matches for the Tasman Mako for the national selectors to choose him for the upcoming Australia tests.
After missing the first six rounds of the NPC with a hamstring injury suffered in training, the 115kg loosie was on managed minutes for his first two matches for the Mako.
Shannon made an immediate impression and went for the full 80, actually 85, in his third against Bay of Plenty last Thursday, scoring a try and having a big hand in two others with his power and offloading skills.
“I try to get involved as much as I can to try and help the boys. We needed a big win tonight to keep our season alive,” said Shannon straight after the 45-26 victory.
It was a man-of-the match performance and clinched his recall to the All Blacks squad.
Watching on, rested All Black Ethan Blackadder summed up his effort in one word – huge.
The official All Blacks confirmation this afternoon was great news for Shannon, but a blow for the Mako as his grunt and skills are irreplaceable at NPC level.
Shannon wasn’t giving much away last week about an All Blacks return, saying it was out of his control and he would just keep playing for Tasman and see how things went.
Pretty quickly as it has transpired.
The last of his 33 test appearances came in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa.
He was yellow carded in the second half and the All Blacks lost 12-11.
It has been a huge few days for the Frizell family with Shannon’s older brother Tyson’s Newcastle Knights making this Sunday’s NRL grand final.
