Tasman loose forward Shannon Frizell is back for the All Blacks for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final after being named in Dave Rennie's 34-man Bledisloe Cup squad this afternoon.
Frizell, like others, went to Japan after the World Cup and played for the Toshiba Brave Lupus, but returned to New Zealand this year with his eye on an All Blacks recall after a season with Tasman in the NPC.
That plan was briefly derailed by a hamstring injury but he has returned strongly for the Mako the past three weeks and his impressive 80-minute performance last Thursday against Bay of Plenty may have been the final piece of evidence Rennie needed.
Also returning is former captain Scott Barrett, who made his own successful return from injury with 50 minutes for Taranaki on Sunday, four months on from back surgery, having last played rugby last November against Wales.
"It's great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell," Rennie said.
"Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we're thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards."
Both recalls are timely as Rennie juggles a growing injury list.
Captain Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder), Ollie Norris (knee) and now Ruben Love (ankle) and Patrick Tuipulotu (calf) are unavailable due to injury.
Love's absence has seen Josh Jacomb retained as a first-five option alongside Richie Mo'unga while Beauden Barrett has been included but listed in the outside backs.
Overall, 31 players from the South Africa tour have been retained.
"Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour was great for us. We’ve learnt a lot about our game and about ourselves, and it gave a lot of guys valuable time in the jersey," Rennie said. "Plenty of them put their hands up, and every player selected fully deserves their place."
Perhaps the biggest example of that is Kyle Preston, who has seemingly become the third halfback option after playing all eight games of the tour.
His inclusion sees fellow Crusader Noah Hotham, who ironically was Rob Penney's go-to choice for No.9 this season, miss out.
Rennie’s immediate focus, of course, is on retaining the Bledisloe Cup – a more-anticipated series now after the Wallabies upset win over the Springboks at the weekend – but as has always been the case since he replaced Scott Robertson at the start of the year, he’s on an accelerated timeline for next year’s World Cup and needs to make the most of opportunities such as these two Tests to firm up his squad.
"The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We've held it since 2003 and we don't take that for granted," Rennie added.
"Australia will be a real challenge. It’s now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we’re excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park," Rennie said.
Rennie also confirmed in Savea's absence, Codie Taylor will lead the squad.
"Codie is a top man who has huge mana. His leadership as tour captain was important for us during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie’s absence."
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland on Sunday ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on Saturday October 10.
All Blacks Bledisloe Cup Squad
Hookers
Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 112) (Captain)
Asafo Aumua (29 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 26)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 45)
Props
Ethan de Groot (28 / Highlanders / Southland / 45)
George Bower (34 / Crusaders / Otago / 29)
Xavier Numia (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 5)
Tyrel Lomax (30 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 55)
Fletcher Newell (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 41)
Pasilio Tosi (28 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 17)
Locks
Scott Barrett (32 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 89)
Josh Lord (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 17)
Fabian Holland (23 / Highlanders / Otago / 15)
Tupou Vaa'i (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 51)
Loose Forwards
Simon Parker (26 / Chiefs / Northland / 10)
Shannon Frizell (32 / Highlanders / Tasman / 33)
Anton Segner (25 / Blues / Auckland / 2)
Ethan Blackadder (31 / Crusaders / Tasman / 15)
Peter Lakai (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 14)
Wallace Sititi (24 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 23)
Halfbacks
Cam Roigard (25 / Hurricanes / Counties Manukau / 24)
Cortez Ratima (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 24)
Kyle Preston (27 / Crusaders / Wellington / 5)
First Five-Eighths
Richie Mo'unga (32 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 57)
Josh Jacomb ( 25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 0)
Midfielders
Jordie Barrett (29 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 85)
Quinn Tupaea (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 29)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (28 / Highlanders / Tasman / 2)
Rieko Ioane (29 / Blues / Auckland / 89)
Outside Backs
Fehi Fineanganofo (24 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)
Leroy Carter (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 10)
Josh Moorby (28 / Hurricanes / Waikato / 5)
Will Jordan (28 / Crusaders / Tasman / 61)
Beauden Barrett (35 / Blues / Taranaki / 145)
Damian McKenzie (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 81)
Unavailable due to injury: Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee)
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