The All Blacks have recruited former Tonga Under-20s and current Otago Highlander’s lock Shannon Frizell. The 24-year-old was named in the All Blacks team list that was announced on Saturday 19 May, three weeks ahead of the All Blacks' test match against France on 9 June. Shannon is the brother of NRL star Tyson Frizell.

A former student of ‘Apifo’ou College, Shannon played for the Tonga Under-20s team in 2014. He later played for the Tasman Mako’s in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup, where he made 23 appearances in 2016 and 2017. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Otago Highlanders this year, and has so far played nine games, scoring four tries.

In spite of his Super Rugby inexperience, Shannon’s speed and try scoring habits have reportedly impressed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. Shannon will join fellow Tongan born lock Vaea Fifita – who was also named in the team.

Other Tongans named in the All Black team are ‘Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland Blues), Ngani Laumape (Wellington Hurricanes) and Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury Crusaders).