Injury-free Frizell returns for Tasman to launch 2027 Rugby World Cup bid

Shannon Frizell will end a six-round absence when he starts at No.8 for Tasman against Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night, marking the first meaningful step in his campaign to earn a recall for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The 32-year-old has had a disrupted 2026, managing only two appearances for Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus before a hamstring injury kept him out of the opening rounds of the NPC. With that setback now behind him, Frizell — who holds 33 All Blacks caps — can begin building the form and fitness that persuaded him to return to New Zealand rugby in the first place.

The occasion carries extra resonance for Highlanders supporters, who will get their first look at the returning loose forward when Tasman venture south to Dunedin’s roofed stadium. Frizell slots into a loose forward trio alongside emerging talent Johnny Lee and Australia Under-20 product Lopeti Faifua, with Brumbies hooker Rory Scott named among the replacements.

Frizell is not the only established international in the Tasman lineup. David Havili, another All Blacks back, starts at inside centre, while the squad is further bolstered by a cluster of recent New Zealand Under-20 representatives — Eli Oudenryn, Jake Frost, Cooper Grant, Macca Springer, Cooper Roberts and Maloni Kunawave — underlining the province’s depth heading into the second half of the NPC campaign.

Tasman team to face Otago: Tom Heywood, Eli Oudenryn, Ryan Coxon, Jake Frost, Antonio Shalfoon, Lopeti Faifua, Johnny Lee, Shannon Frizell, Mitchell Drummond, Cooper Grant, Macca Springer, David Havili, Cooper Roberts, Kyren Taumoefolau, Maloni Kunawave.