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Ethan de Groot (born 22 July 1998) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a prop for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Southland in the Bunnings NPC. Born in Australia, he represents New Zealand at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.[2][3]

Ethan de Groot
De Groot representing New Zealand during the November Internationals
Date of birth (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthGold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Weight135 kg (298 lb; 21 st 4 lb)[1]
School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Southland, Highlanders
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018– Southland 19 (0)
2020– Highlanders 51 (30)
Correct as of 5 November 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– New Zealand 28 (20)
Correct as of 5 November 2024
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  New Zealand
Rugby World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2023 France Squad

Early career

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De Groot was born on the Gold Coast in the Australian north-eastern state of Queensland.[4] He attended Gore High School and then Southland Boys' High School for his final year in 2016. He played junior rugby for Albion-Excelsior and senior rugby for the Invercargill Rugby Club (Blues), winning the Galbraith Shield in 2019.[5]

He signed for the Highlanders squad in 2020.[6][7][8]

De Groot did two years of a building apprenticeship before focusing on rugby.[9]

International career

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De Groot made his international debut for New Zealand on 10 July 2021 against Fiji at Dunedin,[10][11][12] becoming the first Southlander to debut for the national side since Elliot Dixon in 2016. De Groot scored his first test try in a 104–14 win over the United States; the test match in which he first started for the All Blacks.

De Groot was not selected for Ian Foster's first All Black Squad in 2022, with Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao selected ahead of him. However, with the All Blacks being handed their first home series loss to Ireland, de Groot was re-selected for the 2022 Rugby Championship squad. De Groot became a regular starter for New Zealand in 2022, playing nine tests and scoring one try that season.

Retaining his role as the first-choice loosehead prop in 2023, de Groot was selected in Ian Foster's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. De Groot became the first New Zealand player to be given a red card in a Rugby World Cup in the pool stage of the tournament. In this pool game against Namibia, a 71–3 win, he was initially given a yellow card for a high tackle on Adriaan Booysen, with a 'bunker' review upgrading it to a red.[13] De Groot returned from a suspension to produce strong performances in New Zealand's quarter and semi-final fixtures against Ireland and Argentina respectively before he started in the World Cup final; an 11–12 loss to South Africa.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ethan de Groot player profile". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Hard work key for de Groot". www.odt.co.nz. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Ethan De Groot AB profile". allblacks. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  4. ^ Morton, Finn (23 August 2023). "'Little bit of stick': The All Black who once crossed enemy lines". Rugby Pass.
  5. ^ "The Eastern Southland kid ready to step onto rugby's biggest stage". southlandtribune.substack.com. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Highlanders Reveal Refreshed Squad for 2020" (Press release). Highlanders. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Ethan de Groot". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Investec Super Rugby class of 2020 announced". Super Rugby NZ. 12 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  9. ^ Hepburn, Steve (14 May 2021). "Hard work key for de Groot". Otago Daily Times Online News.
  10. ^ Chapman, Grant (8 July 2021). "All Blacks v Fiji: Rookie prop Ethan de Groot braces for 'shock' international debut in Dunedin". Newshub. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  11. ^ McLeod, Alex (6 July 2021). "All Blacks rookie asks coach for debut against Fiji this weekend". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  12. ^ McLeod, Alex (5 November 2021). "Rookie All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot inks new deal with Highlanders". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  13. ^ "New Zealand 71-3 Namibia: All Blacks run in 11 tries but Ethan de Groot sent off". 15 September 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
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