Highlanders leave out Frizell
All Black Shannon Frizell has been omitted from the Highlanders’ Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Reds in Dunedin tomorrow night.
Although blindside flanker Frizell, who is facing allegations of assaulting a woman at a Dunedin bar last weekend, has not been charged of any wrongdoing by police, the Highlanders decided it was best he was stood down from the opening round.
Frizell was alleged to have been involved in an incident at Vault 21, a restaurant/bar in the Octagon.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said Frizell was not being punished by the club – because he had not been found guilty of breaking any laws.
‘‘It is important for us all to remember at this time, these are all allegations and no charges have been laid,’’ Clark said. ‘‘However, these have been a distraction for the player, and the team. And in the best interests of everyone concerned, we are going to omit Shannon from the team this week.’’
Clark confirmed the Highlanders had investigated the incident but were leaving the issue to police until they had completed their inquiries.
Clark said it was his belief that charges wouldn’t be laid against the All Black.
‘‘I would be surprised,’’ Clark said. ‘‘That is just based on what I know. So it is a personal opinion.’’
This is not the first time the Highlanders have had to deal with allegations of poor behaviour by their players.
In August a group of unnamed Highlanders players were accused of upsetting fellow guests at a Queenstown motel. Earlier this year six Highlanders, including All Black Josh Ioane, were stood down for breaking team protocols.
Clark acknowledged there were ‘‘some lessons to be learned’’ from the incidents, for the players and the club. ‘‘The one for me, really, is that if you put yourself in a compromising position you can put yourself in these situations.
‘‘For me, the challenge is making sure they are preparing themselves professionally and don’t put themselves in a compromising position.’’
Asked if he was confident that the Highlanders, New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association and New Zealand Rugby were doing enough to prepare players for life as a professional rugby player, Clark said: ‘‘I am.
‘‘[But] for me that’s an ongoing challenge for us when we’re dealing with 50 young men from the ages of say 19 to 30.
‘‘That’s something we strive to be better at every day.’’
There are several changes to the team that played in the last round of Super Rugby Aotearoa. Frizell has been replaced by Hugh Renton at No 6, while lock Pari Pari Parkinson returns from injury.
In the backs, Michael Collins comes into centre, pushing Sio Tomkinson out to the right wing and Sam Gilbert to fullback.
The bench includes Ethan de Groot, Bryn Evans and Tasman injury replacement first fiveeighth, Tim O’Malley.
The Highlanders are strong favourites even though the Reds beat the Brumbies last weekend to win the Super Rugby AU competition.