22 May 2018

Frizell thought All Black selection was a prank

4:49 pm on 22 May 2018

Two days after being named in in the All Blacks for the first time, Shannon Frizell is still coming to terms with his swift rise in the rugby world.

The Tongan born Frizell had his first taste of training with the squad in Auckland today in preparation for the three test series against France next month.

The 24 year old Highlanders loose forward has played just nine Super rugby matches and says he never dreamt he'd make the All Blacks so soon.

Shannon Frizell going through his paces at his first All Black training.

Shannon Frizell going through his paces at his first All Black training. Photo: Photosport

"I wasn't expecting to be here (with the All Blacks) my focus for this year was with the Highlanders and just to learn as much as I could and now I am in the All Black environment and I will just look to do the same," he said.

When he found out he'd been selected Frizell was in Sydney having just come off the field from the Highlanders loss to the New South Wales Waratahs.

The manager passed him the phone and the voice on the end of it told him he need to get back to New Zealand as he had been selected for the All Blacks.

"I didn't believe them and I gave the phone back saying (the call) wasn't for me.... I thought it was a joke."

Frizell joins fellow Highlanders Ben Smith, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo, while hooker Liam Coltman will act as paternity cover for Nathan Harris.

-RNZ