Former All Black Israel Dagg has compared blindside flanker Shannon Frizell to rugby legend Jerome Kaino following a stellar season in the black jersey.
The 28-year-old has been one of the national team’s most consistent players in 2022 and looks to have cemented his spot as the starting number six.
While teammate Scott Barrett is an equally competent flanker, it is Frizell’s hard work and resilience on defence that has Dagg comparing him to one of the greatest players to wear the jersey.
Kaino formerly represented the All Blacks for 83 Test matches, received the New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year award in 2011 and won two Rugby World Cup’s alongside fellow greats Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
“Shannon at six, he is a must,” Dagg told SENZ Mornings.
“We’ve been looking for (and saying), ‘Who’s going to be that Jerome Kaino that comes in and adds that real oomph at the six position,’ and he is our guy.
“He does all the hard work, he carries extremely well, he defends really (well and) he’s another lineout option; he’s a big man so he’s a genuine lineout option there for Sammy Whitelock and Scotty Barrett.”
While Frizell appears to have cemented himself as the side’s starting six, Dagg believes flanker Dalton Papali’i has also proven his worth with captain Sam Cane ruled out of the remainder of the tour with a fractured cheekbone.
“With Sammy Cane’s absence – and we never want an injury to play that part – but Dalton Papali’i really showcased his importance to this team,” Dagg added.
“Not only over the ball and his defensive prowess but (also) his ability with the ball.
“Look at him when he made that big break; he’s got gas, he’s an actual, genuine ball player and that’s what you want from your loosies, not to be one dimension, to add something different.
“I think we’ve really cemented … probably our top loose forward trio: Ardie Savea – just so, so good, don’t even need to talk about him anymore – (as well as Papali’i and Frizell).
“But Dalton Papali’i really had his best performance in the black jersey.”
With momentum behind them after beating both Japan and Wales, the All Blacks will now head to Edinburgh to take on Scotland on Monday morning.
Following the match, the side will endure a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on England at Twickenham on November 20.