All Blacks v Wallabies: Why Shannon Frizell and Scott Barrett may not start

This week, though, as the All Blacks seek to respond from three successive defeats to the Springboks by retaining the Bledisloe Cup, Frizell and Barrett could be eased back into the test rugby frame.

Frizell is a chance to start at blindside against the Wallabies after reminding everyone of his destructive power with Tasman.

Since Frizell’s last All Blacks appearance in their World Cup final defeat to the Boks in 2023, the No 6 jersey has been a revolving door of candidates.

In his first week with Dave Rennie’s side, though, Frizell could instead be injected off the bench. The 32-year-old missed most of his third season in Japan through injury and only last month returned to the field with Tasman.

While he perfectly fits the enforcer prototype the All Blacks have long desired from their blindside, Rennie’s relentless uptempo style and non-negotiable repeat efforts could be a stretch for Frizell to immediately grasp.

Richie Mo’unga’s circumspect return from Japan – he, too, spent three seasons at Toshiba, alongside Frizell – is the latest example that underlines the challenges of returning to the test scene following a prolonged stint out of the elite arena.

Starting Frizell from the bench this week would allow him another week to build his match fitness and maximise his impact, with a view to promoting him, possibly for next week’s Bledisloe rematch in Sydney.

Frizell’s designated role will dictate the All Blacks loose forward composition for the Wallabies, with Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson’s respective injury absences opening the door for further change.

Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder and Tupou Vaa’i combined for the fourth test against the Springboks in Baltimore, but that combination seems unlikely to be retained.

Vaa’i’s size and height were valued at No 6 against the Boks, but he could return to his favoured locking role for the Wallabies, who, while deserving respect, don’t command the same physicality as the World Cup champions.

Anton Segner’s return from injury that prevented him from facing the Boks is another asset the All Blacks will be keen to harness.

Utilising Segner’s fetching qualities from openside, alongside Lakai at No 8 and, potentially, handing Wallace Sititi another chance to state his case from blindside, could be favoured for the Wallabies. Frizell could then be injected as a one-man wrecking ball for the second half.

After publicly lamenting Frizell’s departure to Japan at the last World Cup, All Blacks scrum coach Jason Ryan believes he can regain that influence but hinted that may be a gradual rather than fast-tracked process.

“He’s in great shape. He’s got a lot of confidence out of playing two or three games for Tasman, which was important,” Ryan said.

“He’s fully selectable. He’s come in fresh. We definitely know what he’s capable of – 2022 and 2023 were special seasons for him. He’s played 30 or 40 tests so it’s exciting.

“He showed glimpses in Tasman’s last two games. In the first two, his lungs ran out a bit. He’s a big body so he needs movement, he needs to run. His physicality, he’s bulky in his chest and legs, so he’s got power. The match fitness was important. I think he’s got that. Whether or not he’s thrown straight into the mix to start, not sure, but he’ll add some value in these two games and he needs to. The quicker he gets in, the more he comes up to speed.”

For Frizell, while acknowledging he’s yet to regain full fitness, there’s unfinished business as another crack at next year’s World Cup sits on the horizon.

“When I left and we didn’t get the job done, I had that feeling in the back of my mind that I still feel like my best rugby is in front of me so I’ll give myself another chance,” he said.

Barrett, after his successful return with Taranaki following a discectomy that relieved bulging disc pressure that sparked numbness on the left side of his body, could also benefit from continuing his step-managed comeback.

Selected as one of four locks for the successive Bledisloe ties, Barrett is certain to feature at some stage, but with Fabian Holland, Vaa’i and Josh Lord fit there’s no need to rush the former skipper back in a starting capacity.

“He’s a very lateral thinker of the game. We just need him to play free and relaxed and bring where he’s really good – his ball carry and physicality,” Ryan said. “I know he’s worked extremely hard. This injury, as much as it was a nasty one, it’s potentially given him a little bit of longevity in his career. He’s looking sharp.”

Barrett, prior to assuming the All Blacks captaincy and enduring his debilitating back issue, was once among the world’s premier locks. As he prepares to relaunch his test career, he could well relish his new unencumbered status.

“Whatever capacity, I’m keen to contribute to this team,” Barrett said. “There’s been a lot of water that’s gone under the bridge since I was last here. I’m equally excited to see where this team has shifted to.”

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.

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