de Groot: 'Invercargill, that would be a real dream come true'
Southland's Ethan de Groot will start for the All Blacks at loosehead prop against England in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Ethan de Groot is a pretty excited man at the moment, even if he does a pretty good job of hiding it.
The Southlander will start at loosehead prop in the All Blacks’ opening test of the 2024 season against England on Saturday night.
And what makes it that bit more special is the test match is being played in Dunedin - his Super Rugby home. It’s just a couple of hundred kilometres north of his beloved province Southland.
“It’s always good [to play a test in Dunedin], one more step would be Invercargill, that would be a real dream come true,” de Groot quipped in an interview with the Breakfast television programme.
“Nah, it’s always good to get a game down here. It’s good for our fans I know they look forward to it as well.”
There’s just the one request for the sole Highlanders lad in the All Blacks group during the trips south.
“I always get hassled for Bluff Oysters bringing them into camp for a few of the fellas. I know Tamati [Williams] and Jase Ryan don’t mind a Bluffie, so when I can I’ll get my hands on some of those for the boys.”
de Groot has fast become a mainstay in the All Blacks setup since debuting in Dunedin against Fiji in 2021.
The 25-year-old Gore lad has made 22 appearances for the All Blacks.
But de Groot admits to still pinching himself whenever he comes into the All Blacks setup and doesn’t take anything for granted.
"When I'm here I'm not getting comfortable and I'm trying to earn the right to play every week," he said.
Much of the focus leading into Saturday’s test has centered around the fact it will be coach Scott Robertson’s first at the helm.
It’s the first time de Groot has played under Robertson.
“I wouldn't say he's intense, but he's extremely detailed in what he's saying and what he wants from us. I've really enjoyed his coaching style.”
de Groot is not the only Southland Stag who will lineup in Dunedin on Saturday night.
New Stags signing Sevu Reece will start on the wing for the All Blacks against England.
You have to head back to 1995 - when Paul Henderson, Simon Culhane, and Norm Hewitt played together - for the last time there were two or more contracted Southland players in the All Blacks starting lineup.
flying the stag flag well done m8