‘Allergic to the try line’: Ethan de Groot reflects on Highlanders’ season

Co-captain Ethan de Groot has joked that the Highlanders might be “allergic to the try line” after the team’s 41-24 defeat to the ladder-leading Chiefs on Friday. The Chiefs secured the number one seed going into the playoffs with that result, while the Highlanders’ season is over.

After losing 10 of their 13 matches going into the final round, the Highlanders’ fate was already sealed, having been confirmed as one of the five sides set to miss out on finals football. They went into round 16 in last-place on the ladder, equal on points with the Fijian Drua.

Fans still made their way to Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium in their thousands, with the Landers hoping to end their season with an incredible upset win over the Chiefs, who were coming off a commanding 85-7 win over Ardie Savea’s Moana Pasifika.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Highlanders have shown they can push some of the big-name teams in the competition, having lost thrillers to the Hurricanes and Crusaders. But this was yet another statement from the Chiefs, with Tupou Vaa’i leading the way with a hat-trick.

Vaa’i scored two of the Chiefs’ first three tries, as the visitors raced out to a 19-nil lead after just 13 minutes. While the Highlanders made it a five-point game going into the break, the Chiefs scored three tries to one during the second 40, as they ran away with an important result.

“I feel I’m repeating myself every week a quality side like the Chiefs, we didn’t start very well and we didn’t start the second half very well,” de Groot said on Sky Sport.

“I think we got it right at times, it’s just, again, small moments.

“I’m excited. This group can do some special things and I’m excited for next season. We can only grow on that and I feel like we’re building something real special down here.

“It’s disappointing. Results aside, I’m still extremely proud and I’m proud to be a Highlander and we’re going to front up.”

The Highlanders have lost seven matches by seven points or less this season, including those thrillers against the Canes and Crusaders. Cam Roigard stole it with a last-gasp try for the Hurricanes, and Cam Millar missed a late penalty to level the scores in Christchurch.

There have been signs of promise, potential and growth under coach Jamie Joseph in 2025, but “small finish moments” have been their kryptonite. After going behind 19-nil early on Friday, the Highlanders fought their way back, starting with a try from de Groot.

De Groot crashed over from close range before Timoci Tavatavanawai crossed for a try in the dying stages of the first half. Cam Millar knocked over a penalty 10 minutes into the second term, but those were the only points the hosts scored during the first 30 of that half.

As for the Chiefs, Xavier Roe and Manasa Mataele both crossed for a five-pointer each, before Sam Gilbert scored the Highlanders’ first try of the second half in the 72^nd minute.

“It’s almost like we’re allergic to the try line,” de Groot quipped.

“It’s just the small finishing moments – how we start games, it’s almost like we get smacked on the nose early and go, ‘Oh sh**, we’re in the fight, we better start playing some rugby.’ I think it’s the way we start and it’s also the way we finish.”