@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-all-black-shannon-frizell-charged-over-alleged-violent-incident/WIVSLTLE23PFND2JBPFLFS4RUE/

Highlanders and All Black star Shannon Frizell had been charged over an allegedly violent incident in May.

It is understood the 27-year-old Tongan-born loose forward with 15 international caps to his name will appear in the Dunedin District Court tomorrow on two allegations of assaulting a female and one of common assault.

New Zealand Rugby's general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said: "We are aware that charges have been laid against one of our players and we have initiated our own employment process."

He refused to comment further.

In May, police confirmed they were investigating an incident at Octagon bar Vault 21 and said a rugby player "of significance" was allegedly involved.

Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark, at the time, said he was aware of the incident and that there would be an investigation.

Frizell was dropped from the Highlanders squad the week after the alleged violence but Clark said it was not a punishment, simply a measure to avoid "distraction".

He has not yet responded to requests for comment today,

The All Blacks are gearing up to face the Wallabies next month for the annual Bledisloe Cup clash, defending a title they have held since 2003.

The maximum penalty on a charge of male assaults female is two years' imprisonment.

What a fluffybunny if guilty. Also means a lot of wasted tests on him.

Only positive for Fizzell is that it may open doors at the Crusaders for him.

@stargazer I think we measure height slightly different down here in Wellington

Went in to the game and took my four year daughter. Was a great atmosphere and the extra minutes at the end just added to the experience. Will have to watch the game again this week as you miss so much at the game. Best part was some drunk lady distracted my daughter for most of the game so I actually got to watch most of it.

Couple of things on the game (though won't stand by them too closely until I've rewatched it).

Backs
DMac looked a lot better here than he did for the Chiefs. I'd still rather see one of the Barretts there but was good to see him get some form back.

Jordie is way to pedestrian for wing. There was one point early in the first half where he appeared to be trying to run through quick sand.

Will be interesting to watch Reiko. He appeared to fuck up by not passing to Jordie at one stage and hogged the ball instead. And dropping the ball like he did is embarrassing and effectively lost us the game. I really wish that he'd go back to being the worlds best winger.

Bridge is so impotent. Really doesn't seem to offer much. Though that was a sweet pass that lead to Smith's try.

R'Mo looked below test level standard. Looked indecisive at times and seemed to have no confidence in the end to demand they set up for a droppie. Might be a while before he finds his feet at test level.

Ardie was no where near a test standard 8. I've got no idea why Foster (other than Foster is a fuckwit) picks two sevens in his starting trio and asks one of them to play like a big bopper 8. Sevens work best when they have constant interactions in the game.

Cane was awesome and hit attackers like a truck. Though his first game as captain had a real 2020 Chiefs feel to it.

I thought Frizell went OK. He tackled well and it's not his fault the loose forward mix is out.

Moody tackled well and Ofa hit hard but fell off a few tackles. Cody appeared to carry on his average 2019 form.

Rennie 'out coached' Foster. The OZ first half was excellent as they more often than not would have been playing into the swirling breeze. I think a stat popped up at halftime that OZ had 70% possession and territory which is clever rugby in those conditions.

Not much to say about the Wallabies other than well done and they probably deserved to win the game. I think an area they can make good improvement in is their accuracy at the breakdown. The amount of times the AB's managed to get a turnover or penalty after a Wallaby went flying/crashing over the ruck instead of actually clearing out was hilarious. Lucky for the AB's too as it meant the Wallabies couldn't build enough pressure.

Looking forward to catching this on TV and revising my opinions.

Could end up at lock if he comes to the Canes

Sounds like Hammett may need to come in and clear out some of the senior players.

Maybe Dmac will be the third halfback. He'd have no issue getting the ball out to the winger. Probably just be an off load by the time he gets there.

@Stargazer said in Bledisloe 2:

Kirwan saying the Wallabies deserved to win tonight

Duluth has always had the better rugby knowledge.

@pukunui Shirley it's not just those two. Jordie over George, Skudder over Havili, TJ over Hall, Laumape over Bateman, Fiftia over Samu. It's bullshit. When will the All Black coaches wake up and pick an all Crusaders team again. I guess the real slap in the face was picking JTA over that reserve prop from Sydneyham.

Shit, this Lee Grant guy is starting to sound a bit like a sports fan posting his thoughts on a sports forum.

They knew Matera would be a good fit into their culture once they saw the racist tweets.

We're going to be locked down forever (sorry if it's a re-post)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300431939/covid19-what-the-everchanging-icu-bed-numbers-tell-us

How many penalties do Hawkes Bay have to concede before a card. Getting ridiculous now.

Must be a yellow soon

Gutted. But I fucken loved this test. It's been a few years since watching a game with the tension that this one had.

Great game and well done Boks. What a second half.

Worst play I've seen from an AB in a while

All from that fu*ken rubbish Havili kick. What a waste. Was a nice kick from Steyn though.

S.Barrett off.

Faf hit a brick wall

Was there any blood there for that delay?

Willie's having a shocker.