Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

All Blacks prop punished for breaking team protocol

Ethan de Groot of New Zealand looks on during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

All Blacks loosehead prop Ethan de Groot’s omission from the team to face England at Twickenham is punishment for breaking team protocols.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams will wear the No 1 jersey in De Groot’s place as he sits out a one-week ban, with Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi named as the reserve loosehead on the bench.

Just what exactly De Groot did is unclear, with head coach Scott Robertson stating internal standards had not been met and the reasons were “off-field related”.

De Groot is the first All Black under Scott Robertson to be disciplined for breaking team protocol, the last being Mark Tele’a during last year’s Rugby World Cup run where he was stood down for the quarter-final against Ireland.

First five-eighth Damian McKenzie wasn’t disciplined for missing the team bus after the All Blacks faced Fiji in San Diego, however McKenzie had to make his own way to LAX to make the flight home.

Related

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
M
MakeOllieMathisAnAB 29 days ago

Can’t teabag a teammate like you used to.

B
B 28 days ago

I thought the AB's internal standards policy was "no dickheads"? Has Razor now expanded that to include ball bags as well?

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

M
Mzilikazi 5 hours ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Thanks for the very comprehensive response, Rob. I have held off responding till I had seen the match v the WB's, and had a better look at Sam. I was interested that you knew him at Uni, played with him.


I thought overall he had a very good game. Was especially impressed by his passing, the timing and accuracy. Very good long passer. He kicks well out of hand, and strikes the ball well off the tee. His one miss could have been costly, but I would not put too much on that.


I did feel he did not pose a running threat, did to carry into contact enough, so the WB's defence was spared that worry.


I fully agree with you that Cullen now needs to give Sam and extended run at 10 for Leinster, not necessarily starting him in every game, but making sure he always gets significant game time, week in, week out.


I'm interested in your comment "if he had a bit more pace he’d have the potential to have sextons brains and bods skills." That would be some combination !


I also had a look at his background. I knew he was a Newbridge College lad, and see he played for them in the Cup Campaign that was never finished due to Covid restrictions. I remember that year well....pity as that was an all Kildare Final, with Clongowes the opponent. The big Dublin schools for once not featuring.


Same happened up in Ulster, two schools outside Belfast in the Final...Wallace and Armagh Royal. I follow Armagh from out here in Qld, as Kenny Hooks(6 caps for Ireland) had built a small school up to being one of the best in Ulster over 40 plus years coaching there. I coached Kenny for five years...Medallion/U 15 and first XV.. at Bangor GS.


Signing off, just hope and pray Sam Prendergast remains free of any serious injury, and we see him develop over the next 10 plus years.

169 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING What the Wallabies have made of Joe Schmidt's reception in Ireland Wallabies on Joe Schmidt's reception in Ireland
Search