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All Blacks star re-commits to Highlanders by signing contract extension through to next World Cup

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks and Highlanders star Shannon Frizell has put pen to paper to lock in a two-year contract extension with the Highlanders in a deal that will see him through to 2023.

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The 27-year-old becomes the latest All Black to re-sign to or beyond 2023 as a growing list of capped Kiwi internationals begin to eye up a tilt for the World Cup in France in two years’ time.

Frizell’s recommitment to NZR is also a big win for the Highlanders, who have reaped the rewards of signing the Tongan-born loose forward back in 2018.

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Since then, the 13-test international has been a standout for the Dunedin-based franchise as he has appeared 44 times for the southerners.

The former Tonga U20 representative turned heads in his maiden Super Rugby campaign by scoring a hat-trick of tries against the Blues at Eden Park in a match that effectively sealed his place as a bolter selection in that year’s All Blacks squad.

Frizell made his test debut against France in Dunedin in June 2018, and went on to feature for the All Blacks at the 2019 World Cup in Japan as an injury replacement for Luke Jacobson.

Last year, he started in four of New Zealand’s six tests to accentuate is standing in the national pecking order at blindside flanker.

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Given his standout Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign thus far this season, it’s likely the Tasman representative will be there or thereabouts for starting honours with the All Blacks later on this year.

“Shannon has been a standout player for us since his first game for the club,” Highlanders head coach Tony Brown said.

“His work rate and the physical commitment he offers on attack and defence are world class, his consistent form this year has him right up there as the best in the country at blindside.

“We are of course delighted that Shannon has decided to stay with us for the next few seasons to help us reach our goals, he holds a lot of mana amongst the team and his commitment to the club is good for our future.”

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Frizell added: “I have enjoyed my time here, I like Dunedin and the culture of the team, it seems to get the best out of me. I want the Highlanders to do well, if I can help the team by playing well, then I’m happy.”

Frizell become the latest high-profile Highlander to re-commit to the franchise in recent times, as the likes of Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava and Pari Pari Parkinson have all extended their stays in Dunedin beyond this year.

Last year’s All Blacks contracted to NZR until this year and beyond

Contracted until 2021: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Alex Hodgman, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Akira Ioane, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber, Ngani Laumape, Damian McKenzie.

Contracted until 2022: Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Richie Mo’unga, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett.

Contracted until 2023: Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Cullen Grace, Shannon Frizell, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Contracted until 2024: Ofa Tuungafasi

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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