The All Black Quartet Set to Make Their Test Debuts
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We take a look at the four players set to make their test debut in the All Blacks jersey this weekend in the third and final test against France.
Shannon Frizell
The 25-year-old Tongan-born blindside flanker moved to Nelson after signing a development contract with the Tasman Rugby Union back in 2015.
Frizell made his provincial debut for Tasman in 2016 and had a blockbuster 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign which earned him a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders.
The 1.95m tall blindside flanker is blessed with dynamic rugby skills which were on full display this year when he scored three tries in the Highlanders win over the Blues in round ten.
Frizell has a long future with the All Blacks with his ability to lock and flank which could see him become Jerome Kaino's long-term replacement.
Frizell only took up rugby in his final year at school in Tonga, before that he was a football goalkeeper and represented his country at age-grade level before switching codes and making the Tonga under-20s rugby team.
Richie Mo'unga
Mo'unga has had a trophy-laden career to date winning the Mitre 10 Cup in his debut season with Canterbury in 2013.
He went on to lead the side to another title in 2015 which earned him a contract with the Crusaders for the 2016 Super Rugby season.
He started all 16 matches of the Crusaders Super Rugby-winning campaign in 2017 and was the leading points scorer, scoring 160 in just 10 games for the franchise.
Catching the eye of All Blacks selectors, Mo'unga was called to join the squad as injury cover for the third Bledisloe Cup Test in 2017.
Mo'unga got his first taste of international rugby when he played for the Barbarians against the All Blacks and scored the game's opening try, before joining the All Blacks squad and making his debut off the bench against the French XV.
Jackson Hemopo
Jackson Hemopo is set to make his test debut off the bench against France having not been included in the squad for the series.
The busy second rower, that can play blindside flank, made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders during their championship-winning season in 2015.