Frizell had to be taken to the blood bin in the 22nd minute, due to an eye injury, so was temporarily replaced by Highlanders team mate Jackson Hemopo, who was also on debut for New Zealand.

Frizell went on to start three times for the All Blacks during the 2018 Rugby Championship, in the absence of the injured regular starter, Liam Squire.

Frizell was one of the standout performers in the first test against Argentina, on 8 September, playing the full 80 minutes at his homeground in Nelson, scoring his first try for the All Blacks as they won 46-24.

Frizell unfortunately failed to make an impact in the final two tests of the competition, including the 32-30 victory over South Africa, on 6 October.

[11][12] In July 2019, Frizell and four other players, including Highlanders teammate, Josh Ioane, were dropped from the All Blacks, having performed poorly against South Africa in a 16-16 draw.

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.

2022 would go on to be a successful season for Frizell, who put behind the off-field issues of 2021 to reclaim his place as the first-choice blindside flanker during the 2022 Rugby Championship; after missing a mid-year series against Ireland due to injury.