'They hand my arse to me': Ethan de Groot's tough All Blacks lessons
The benefit for Ethan de Groot of the All Blacks going on a mammoth 10-week tour is that the selectors were forced to select eight props in the squad, allowing for the 23-year-old’s inclusion. With so many front-rowers on board, however, training hasn’t always been quite what De Groot expected.
The Southland and Highlanders prop was originally named in the Rugby Championship squad as cover for the injured Joe Moody, who had also sat out the July series, allowing De Groot to earn his first test cap for the All Blacks.
Moody and fellow injured prop Ofa Tuungafasi were expected to make their returns via the NPC while the squad travelled to Australia for the Rugby Championship but just days before the flight, New Zealand went back into a state of lockdown due to Covid, which meant the team travelled to Perth with a considerable number of front-rowers.
De Groot, Moody and Tuungafasi were joined by George Bower, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao and Tyrel Lomax in Australia, meaning the side were never short of props – even with Moody and Tuungafasi on the mend.
De Groot had his own troubles, with a lingering neck injury preventing the youngster from coming into the selection equation.
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Even when fit, however, things didn’t all go De Groot’s way, with the Gore-native the first cab off the ranks when it came to covering other positions in the pack at trainings.
“It was frustrating, sometimes I was training at No 8 and I was sort of just thrown in there and I wasn’t getting a lot of reps at scrum time,” he said on Thursday. “[I was] still learning a lot by just watching and when I [did] get a chance to have a go, just [had to] make it count.”
The 23-year-old didn’t hold any grudges, however, and had no complaints about his time with the team.
“What have I got to be upset about? I’m on tour, I’m in the All Blacks, I am an All Black,” he said.
“There was times I was getting a bit upset – obviously getting the small opportunities at training because there’s so many of us … It’s all part of it. Obviously, our job’s to prepare the boys. The props that are playing are obviously the ones that need the hit-out and the load so I’m just happy to do my part.”
De Groot has still packed down in his preferred loosehead role on enough occasions with the squad to know he still has plenty to learn about the trade, acknowledging that he’d been put to the sword by some of the best props in the business, but also that he’d picked up plenty of tips and tricks from his more experienced teammates.
“Obviously [the other props have] a lot of experience under the belt,” he noted. “[They’d give me] small pointers. Even Karl, Ofa… I actually learn more off the tightheads, guys like Nepo. They hand my arse to me every now and then and I learn from it.
“You see it in Super, we all go at it. Those guys are awesome but Neps, in my opinion, he’s the best tighthead in the world at the moment and he gets me every now and then but sometimes I catch him napping.”
Despite kicking off their rivalry in 1913, before coming up against the likes of Italy, Argentina or even South Africa, this weekend’s match will mark just the fourth time the #AllBlacks and @USARugby have gone toe to toe. #USAvNZL
?? @TomVinicombehttps://t.co/Fx6r1iCTeh
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) October 20, 2021
De Groot will make his first run-on appearance for the All Blacks when he starts in the No 1 jersey against the USA Eagles this weekend, and will pack down alongside Asafo Aumua and Angus Ta’avao.
While it’s not quite the same occasion as a test debut, it’s still a momentous achievement for the young prop – who admits he’ll have to keep his energy in check at kick-off.
“I’m not too emotional so it’ll probably just be trying to keep my cool and not trying to blow myself out in the first 10 minutes [from] getting too stuck in. It’ll just be getting ready for a normal game and going out there and going hard.”
The game will mark the first time the two sides have faced off since New Zealand conquered the US 74-6 back in 2014.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3:30pm EDT from FedExField in Washington (8:30am on Sunday morning for New Zealanders).
The USA vs All Blacks is available to watch live in the US, Canada and Mexico on FloRugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments