Former All Black flanker backs potential Shannon Frizell position change

The No 6 jersey has been one of the most difficult to hold down throughout Ian Foster’s tenure as All Blacks head coach, Shannon Frizell has come as close to securing the position as anyone, but that doesn’t mean it’s his best position according to a former All Black flanker.

Josh Kronfeld, a 54 cap All Black, has been impressed by Frizell’s foray into the locks in recent weeks as the Highlanders struggle with a brutal injury toll. Frizell spent two full games in the No 4 jersey after having to slide into the role midgame in round 11 due to injuries to Will Tucker and Fabian Holland.

The switch put Frizell’s versatility in the spotlight, something All Black selectors have been known to value.

“I think it suits him,” Kronfeld told SENZ’s Super South.

“I just felt like it gets him more into that tight-loose versus that loose-tight to use those expressions.

“It just puts the ball in his hands a bit more and that short phase part of the game and he just has to get up.”

Frizell’s ball-carrying ability was a strong contributor to his rise up the All Blacks pecking order in 2022 while his work at the lineout also put him in favour with the coaching group.

“I think at lock you’re in that middle part of the field and you can follow the ball a little bit more, you’re not bound by the structures of what the team format or game is,” Knonfeld added.

“I’m still coming to grips with the fact that in the modern game the loose forward trio are really structured, where one side will follow the ball for a couple of phases (and) where the other side of the scrum will wait for the ball to come back.

“That happens defensively as well so it means that you’ve got guys occupying zones versus just reading what’s in front of them a little bit.

“I think there’s still a license to read it a little bit but I think often with the dynamic of the structures within a team now, it’s taking away from them to have that little bit of self-injection into the moment.”

Frizzel could join Scott Barrett as utility forwards in the All Blacks setup that can cover both the back row and lock, with Ethan Blackadder and Akira Ioane also vying for selection as more specialised options.