All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell has been omitted from the Highlanders’ Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener against the Queensland Reds amid a police investigation into an alleged assault at a Dunedin nightspot.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said the investigation involving Frizell was a “distraction” for the team but his omission was not punitive.
“I think it is important for us all to remember at this time, these are all allegations and no charges have been laid,” Clark told New Zealand media.
“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.”
New Zealand media reported Frizell was alleged to have been involved in an assault on a woman at a bar early on Sunday.
Police were not called to the incident and were only notified of the allegations later on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Frizell made his All Blacks debut in 2018 and has played 13 Tests.
The blindside flanker started in four of the All Blacks’ five Tests last year and is expected to be a part of Ian Foster’s squad this season.
Clark said the Highlanders had completed their own investigation into the incident and had left the issue with police.
He said he would be “surprised” if police laid charges on Frizell.
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Yep agree, that’s why I said SF has been accused by the Kiwi media, rather than saying he has been convicted of a crime.
Matt 1 was proven and 1 is yet to have any facts released about it. Lets shoot someone if they do the crime but lets at least wait for some details. The fact that the CEO believes he wont be charged suggests there may be things we arnt aware of as yet and also most bars have security footage so it wont be hard to prove either way. im happy to wait till I see his crime because being accused of something isnt yet a crime in NZ or Aus...
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, totally agree. No idea what the allegation is. Did he hit someone? Grab an arse? At the moment we got nothing.
Well said
What has he been accused of? Like I say Lets see what the details are. If he HAS actually assaulted someone they yep he will not be part of the ABs this year
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
“Didnt the Wallabies select Beale post “male assaults female”…or is that different?” Yes Ben, the two offences were very different. Beale was caught sending offensive text messages and having a follow up verbal only argument with a woman. As reported by the Kiwi press, SF is accused of physical violence against a woman. Both offences were unacceptable but the obvious “difference” is the violent bit. Oh and for the record, RA did stand Beale down once the manager/victim (DP) reported it to them.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Clutching at straws now Ben?! What does Kurtley Beale have to do with what I wrote? Nothing… You can think what you want Ben, but actions speak louder then words. The AB’s claimed one thing, but in reality failed to back it up with actions.” So, the way I’m reading that is that the issue you have is not that a woman bashed for selected, but that the ABs said they wanted better people and then selected a woman bashed? By disregarding the KB reference you obviously moving past the bashing part and just focusing on what the ABs said and the way their actions contradict it. So it’s not the woman bashing part that irks you, it’s the hypocrisy or double standard?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Maybe, depends on what happened. Unless you have another source, this article says sweet F A. The fact Highlanders team has completed investigation and dropped the matter does say something; If they expected the police investigation to come up with something they wouldn’t have such a soft stance on him. As for the Mantra etc. without getting too much into it, our society works on a basis of redemption and rehabilitation, not condemnation and execution. People make mistakes, lord knows I would wager we all have - and yes, assaulting a women is up there and something the be taken very seriously. To make sure people turn their lives around, it is better that they get support with a job, and surround themselves with family, and friends. A professional sporting environment may be an ideal place to do that, especially with its tendency to pervade all aspects of a life. As opposed to a standard 9-5 where you get left to your devises. For the sake of rehabilitation and change, I don’t have a problem with keeping these young stupid guys in a supportive environment. It is a bit tricky when they become good enough to be ABs, as the perception can be as you see it, where their poor behaviour is condoned. I get it. But going to back to the assertion that society works on ‘time served’ rehabilitation, it seems counter productive to freeze these young guys from their livelihoods and support networks.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
So if the allegations are true you will expect the All Blacks to dump him?
Are you saying that the MANTRA was wrong? I believe very strongly that better people make better All Blacks and I love it that they stand for that. That statement makes no claims around ABs not stuffing up or anything around if you stuff up you cant be an All Black. read it again...Better people make better All Blacks......pretty basic stuff really and certainly not wrong....
No Doc I want to wait till I hear thats what happened. Im not aware of any further details apart from an investigation so will wait. You want to hang him now without details I guess
Ben
Guest
Youre the one pointing fingers at imaginary people "making excuses for them". Who are these people and what did they say? I have neither heard nor seen anybody make any excuses for them. Please show us. As for knickers in a twist...ironic that youre getting so wound up about another sports teams mantra...obviously riled you.
adam smith
Guest
Clutching at straws now Ben?! What does Kurtley Beale have to do with what I wrote? Nothing… You can think what you want Ben, but actions speak louder then words. The AB’s claimed one thing, but in reality failed to back it up with actions. If something is said or not, is irrelevant. These are the facts: AB’s preached one thing, & did exactly the opposite when it suited. If you can’t see that, that’s your own problem. And again, I don’t owe you anything, or any evidence, the AB’s did that with their actions. Entitled much?
Laurence King
Roar Rookie
No doubt we'll hear more of the matter, at this stage allegations.
Ben
Guest
Didnt the Wallabies select Beale post "male assaults female"...or is that different? The reason youre not providing evidence of anybody "making excuses for them" is there isnt any....
adam smith
Guest
Where did I say that they have been preaching it lately? In regards to both examples I gave, (Sivivatu & Reece), that was most definitely the mantra being preached to the playing group, & Hansen was part of that coaching team was he not? The excuses the behaviour, by selecting both, even though the failed to live up to the mantra. Also, not sure why I have to provide “evidence” just cause you have your knickers in twist & demand it?! You can use google, yeah?!
Ben
Guest
Preaching “better people yada yada ad nauseam” but making excuses for woman-bashers…the AB’s hypocrisy is certainly not lost on me. Whos been preaching that lately? Havent seen that since Hansen gave it away. Can you show me the last time where thats been preached ad nauseam and whos been making excuses for these guys? Again, examples of people making "excuses" for these guys please.....
Ben
Guest
Well Doctor, as Jacko says, maybe wait for the Police investigation and the facts first before you start your obvious anti ABs tirade.....i mean to say.....Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter was a triple murderer wasnt he??
adam smith
Guest
Yes Dr, the support & selection of Reece still irks me, as did the selection of Sivivatu amongst others. Preaching “better people yada yada ad nauseam” but making excuses for woman-bashers…the AB’s hypocrisy is certainly not lost on me.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Did you just compare a low level drug case, and in one case, just being a bit drunk at an airport, with someone physically assaulting women? Oh yes... All Blacks.