Assault charges against Shannon Frizell dropped as All Blacks loose forward completes diversion

Assault charges against All Blacks and Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell have been dropped, the Otago Daily Times report.

Frizell, 27, faced two charges of male assaults female and one of common assault dating back to May at Dunedin's Vault 21 bar.

In July, he was offered diversion after his lawyer argued he was a first-time offender. Frizell was also ordered to not consume alcohol or contact his victim until his next court appearance.

On Tuesday, police said that Frizell had completed diversion, resulting in the charges being dismissed.

Frizell was handed a two-game suspension by New Zealand Rugby, ruling him out of the All Blacks' first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia at Eden Park on August 7.

The second suspended game was backdated to the Highlanders' Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Reds on May 14.

As a result of the now dropped charges, Frizell was not selected for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign in Australia, with coach Ian Foster confirming it was due to his court appearances.

''It's related to his visa access into Australia," Foster said last month. "He's still got aspects to work through regarding his court case, which we're really confident he will. 

"In the meantime, he's got some things to do with that."