FRIZELL SET TO ADD TO FAMILY’S BIG NAME
SHANNON Frizell is the backrow bolter for the All Blacks who never got the chance to grow up beside his older brother, who is riding high at the top of the NRL.
The genes that flow so powerfully in the hitting power of NSW Origin forward Tyson Frizell at St George Illawarra have reached rugby union’s world champions.
Shannon, 24, will be in the Highlanders side against the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night as the freshest forward in the All Blacks side named yesterday.
Tyson, 26, was raised by his parents in Wollongong while Shannon’s childhood was with his adopted family in Tonga.
The duo are proud siblings who made the most of holiday visits to remain close during their different upbringings.
“It is something that is pretty common in Tongan culture, to adopt a kid from another family, but he wasn’t able to come over and live with us,” Frizell told NRL.com. “My mum fought hard to get him over but wasn’t allowed.”
Immigration laws could prevent a childhood together but were no bars to the siblings excelling as footballers.