The All Black Quartet Set to Make Their Test Debuts

The All Black Quartet Set to Make Their Test Debuts

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.

The former New Zealand Under 20 played for Otago between 2013-2015 before signing a deal to return to Manawatu in 2016.

The 24-year-old was selected for the Maori All Blacks off the back of a very impressive provincial and Super Rugby season with Manawatu and the Highlanders and showed he has the ability to step up to international rugby.

He also played a crucial role in the Highlanders win over the British and Irish Lions last year. Hemopo has a massive engine and has made a name for making a large number of thumping tackles and strong carries. 

 

Jack Goodhue

The 23-year-old centre made his first appearance for Canterbury in 2014. He made five appearances for the side scoring two tries but his season was ended prematurely through a concussion.

Goodhue further struggled with injuries after he was ruled out for almost a year after making just two appearances for Canterbury in 2015.

He returned in fine form in 2016 and earned a Super Rugby contract with the Crusaders for the 2017 season.

Goodhue impressed the All Blacks selectors in his debut season with the All Blacks and was included as injury cover Ryan Crotty for the All Blacks' 33-man squad to face Samoa and three-test series against the British and Irish Lions.

The powerful centre who can play both inside and outside centre helped the Crusaders win the Super Rugby title in 2017 before starring for Northland in one of their most successful Mitre 10 Cup seasons in recent times.

He capped off a fantastic year when he made his All Blacks debut against France XV. 

 

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