Shannon Frizell, the standout star for the All Blacks in the World Cup, is actually eligible to represent Wales. Despite his remarkable success as one of the world’s top flankers, his rugby journey could have taken a different path.
Shannon Frizell, the talented flanker for the All Blacks, has become a vital player for the New Zealand team in their pursuit of winning the Rugby World Cup this year.
He made his international debut in 2018 and has now earned more than 30 caps, which include a remarkable try-scoring performance in the recent victory over Argentina that secured their spot in the final. However, it’s worth noting that he could have chosen to play for Wales based on his eligibility.
Frizell was born in Tonga, but he possesses the qualification to represent Wales through his father, Andrew, who hails from Swansea. Frizell’s elder brother, Tyson, initially represented Wales in rugby league before switching to play for Australia. Interestingly, international rugby league rules allow players to compete for a tier one nation, even if they had previously played for a tier two country like Wales.
Speaking about his younger brother Shannon, Tyson mentioned, “Dad was able to get him a British passport, and he is free to make his own choice. Wales has a rich rugby tradition, and he had the option to play for Wales, become an All Black, or represent Tonga.”
Nevertheless, Frizell ultimately made the decision to play for New Zealand and has established himself as one of the most physically dominant and skilled blindside flankers in the global rugby landscape.
Despite his impressive rise to prominence, Frizell’s journey has not been without controversy. In 2021, he faced serious assault charges, including two counts of assault against a woman and one of common assault after an incident at a Dunedin nightclub in May. However, he was later cleared of these charges by a Dunedin court after completing a police “diversion” program designed for first-time offenders.
Notably, New Zealand’s “diversion” scheme allows individuals to take responsibility for their offenses outside the conventional legal process, helping them avoid a criminal record.
In response to the situation, Frizell expressed remorse for his actions, stating, “I would like to extend my sincere apologies to the individuals affected and for the harm I have caused. I acknowledge that I let myself and others down and will now make every effort to regain people’s trust in me.”
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