Assault charges against All Black dropped

NEWS: Assault charges against New Zealand flank Shannon Frizell have been formally dismissed by a Dunedin court after the loose forward completed a police “diversion” scheme aimed at first offenders, local media reported.

The 27-year-old, who has played 15 Tests for the All Blacks, faced two charges of assault against a woman and one of common assault after an incident at a Dunedin nightclub in May.

Frizell was dropped from the New Zealand side for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in early August after a July appearance in court on the charges.

New Zealand’s “diversion” scheme allows offenders to take responsibility for their offences outside the court system and avoid getting a criminal record.

Frizell, who played both Tests against Fiji in July, was also dropped from the New Zealand squad for the ongoing Rugby Championship because of the case, which complicated his application for a visa to enter Australia.

He apologised for his actions after his July appearance in court.

“I would especially like to say sorry to the two people involved and for the harm I have caused,” he said.

“I let myself and others down and will now try to do everything I can to restore people’s faith in me.”