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‘He’s out’: Shannon Frizell set to miss World Cup opener with 'niggly' injury
By Finn Morton
Flanker Shannon Frizell has picked up a “niggly” hamstring injury in the leadup to the All Blacks clash with rivals South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
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The rampaging loose forward was compared to legendary All Black Jerome Kaino after starring against the World Champion Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium last month.
Dazzling winger Will Jordan set up Aaron Smith for the opening try of the contest in the opening few minutes, and Frizell added to their lead shortly after. Frizell ran over Willie le Roux, and was generally sensational that night.
It was Frizell’s best Test in an All Blacks jersey.
Frizell joins 103-Test veteran Brodie Retallick on the sidelines, with both players also set to miss the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup opener against France on September 9 (NZST).
Retallick limped off the field at Forsyth Barr Stadium during New Zealand’s come-from-behind win over the Wallabies in Bledisloe II with a knee injury.
“Brodie is progressing really well, and we’ll assess more next week,” Foster told reporters on Friday. “He’s out of the South Africa game and likely to be out of the French game.
“We’ve got Shannon Frizell who tweaked his hamstring two days ago doing a speed session. Again, that’s probably a similar time frame, so that’s a bit niggly for us.”
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The injury could potentially propel loose forward Luke Jacobson into the starting side at blindside flanker, and Dalton Papali’i is another option if coach Foster opts for a backrow reshuffle.
On Thursday morning, Jacobson spoke with RugbyPass about the All Blacks’ chance of hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup.
“I think things are tracking pretty well, and it’s not going to be an easy feat but we’ve got some awesome coaches here, they’re doing a good job,” Jacobson said.
“We’ve got some awesome players and experienced players leading us in the right way.
“We’re already moulding together as you might see from the last few games but I think we’ve still got more to offer so it’s exciting to see where we can get to.”
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I agree this is a big blow and puts the blow-torch on the decision to select only 5 loosies. You can't play Papali'i or Jacobson at 6 as our 3rd line-out option - they'd be marking Ollivon, a giant (like Du Toit and Lawes). The ABs thought they had Frizzell covered by Scott Barrett, but with Retallick also injured, it really cuts out the options. If they go with Barrett at 6, would they start with Vai'i at lock with Whitelock? Or risk starting Vai'i at 6 (less experienced than Barrett there). Or go with an underpowered 6 like Papali' or Jacobson and risk our set piece? I wonder if one of the over-populated back threes will 'pull a hammie' next week, so Finau or Lord can join the squad?
Well that aint good hes a machine shannon frizell. this is why they should have brought finau in the squad instead of clarke because blindisde flanker is most likely getting injured the most players like luke jacobson or dalton papalii could cover blindside flanker but its time for finau to shine after all hes injury cover.
What are the rules about changing players out of your squad before the official deadline? I was under the impression once you had formally announced your squad to the world cup you can't change the squad unless due to injury?
Papalii at 6? How about we do something novel and choose a 6 at 6 and not a 7.
This makes me nervous with only five flankers and four locks in the 33 and Retallick already injured. I'd drop a winger and add Finau to the squad before the deadline on the 28th.