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Ethan de Groot returns for Highlanders’ pre-season clash with Crusaders
All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot is back for the Highlanders and “ready” to take on the Crusaders in the team’s final pre-season game before the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
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De Groot, who started in last year’s Rugby World Cup final at loosehead prop, is available for the Highlanders’ trip to Methven following his rest period with the national team.
In a statement released by the Dunedin-based franchise on Wednesday, de Groot spoke about how eager he was to return after watching his teammates go to battle the last couple of weeks.
“I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines,” de Groot said. “Watching the lads play over the last two weeks has left me feeling excited for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
SQUAD | Your Highlanders team to take on @crusadersrugbyteam in Methven for Pre season #3 🏉
WE GO 🔥 #FORTHESOUTH #preseason #superrugbynz #superrugbypacific #highlanders pic.twitter.com/jP1T3huBkt— Highlanders (@Highlanders) February 14, 2024
“I’m ready to get back out there, run alongside some of the newer lads, and test the lungs against the Crusaders this Friday.”
The Highlanders will take on defending Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders in another instalment of the traditional pre-season clash between the South Island rivals.
These two teams have previously met at various locations including Wanaka, Waimumu, Weston, Darfield and now Methven Rugby Club.
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Henry Bell and Saula Ma’u join returning New Zealand international de Groot in the Highlanders’ starting front row this week.
“Ethan has evolved into a formidable presence in the front row and we’re looking forward to having him back in our starting XV,” forwards coach Tom Donnelly explained.
“I am pleased with the progress our forwards have made during the pre-season, and adding a quality scrummager like Ethan to the mix will undoubtedly bolster the team.”
Max Hicks and Fabian Holland will link up as the two locks while Sean Withy, captain Billy Harmon and Hugh Renton round out the forwards as the backrow trio.
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All Black Folau Fakatava joins rising star Cam Millar in the halves, while vice-captain Sam Gilbert and Taniela Tele’a will combine in the midfield.
The outside backs are incredibly exciting, too, with wing Jona Nareki, the always-exciting Timoci Tavatavanawai and fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuku-Kneepknes starting in those roles.
Highlanders team to take on Crusaders
- Ethan de Groot, 2. Henry Bell, 3. Saula Ma’u, 4. Max Hicks, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Sean Withy, 7. Billy Harmon (c), 8. Hugh Renton, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cam Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Sam Gilbert (vc), 13. Tanielu Tele’a, 14. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Reserves
- Jack Taylor, 2. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Oliver Haig, 5. Nikora Broughton, 6. Nathan Hastie, 7. Rhys Patchell, 8. Jonah Lowe, 9. Martin Bogado, 10. Ayden Johnstone, 11. Ajay Faleafaga, 12. Hugo Plummer, 13. Jake Te Hiwi
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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