Originally coming to New Zealand from Tonga, Frizell is a rangy loose forward blessed with dynamic rugby skills, who can also cover the lock position.
He grew up in Tonga with his adopted family and started playing rugby. His brother grew up with his parents in Australia and now plays for St George Illawarra Dragons as a second-rower in the NRL.
Frizell went to a Catholic school in Tonga on the main island – Tongatapu and came to Nelson to play for the Marist club, signing a development contract with the Tasman RU in 2015.
He represented New Zealand Marist at U 19 level, played one preseason game for the Makos and for the Tasman sevens team, and was then offered a 2015 Makos contract.
He made his provincial debut for Tasman in 2016 playing in all matches and after a blockbuster 2017 Mako season, seven appearances at lock, one at blindside flanker at one at No 8 in the NPC, earned a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders.
Frizell hit the headlines in Round 10 of Super Rugby 2018 as he scored a hat-trick against the Blues. His strong form was rewarded when he received his first All Blacks call up for the 2018 June Series.
The powerful blindside missed out on the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad initially but was called into the squad following an injury to Luke Jacobson.
He went into the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup having made 29 appearances for Tasman Makos.
Frizell then signed a new two-year deal with the club.
He continued his stay in the All Blacks, named in the squad for the 2020 Rugby Championship Frizell established himself as the first choice number 6 with starts against Australia in a 16-16 draw, a 27-7 win and a 5-43 win.
Frizell was one of the best players during the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season and was again named in the All Blacks squad to play Tonga and Fiji in the July Steinlager Series.
In Round 1 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season Frizell played his 50th game for the Highlanders against the Chiefs.
In his 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, he played 11 matches for the Highlanders starting 10 and scoring 1 try for the club.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Frizell has been named in the squad for New Zealand.
S.C June 2023
Career
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Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo Blindside Flanker |
2023 - present |
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Tasman Mako Blindside Flanker |
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Highlanders Blindside Flanker |
2017 - 2023 |
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New Zealand Blindside Flanker |
2018 - 2024 |
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South Island Blindside Flanker |
2020 - 2024 |
