In today's least surprising news; ABs prop sticks with Stags
“To be honest I don’t think I’d ever leave the Stags to another province, as long as Southland wants me, I’ll be there,”
All Black prop Ethan de Groot doesn’t think he will ever leave the SBS Southland Stags as he recommits for the 2023 season. Although he’s likely to play little to no part in the NPC.
Rugby Southland has announced de Groot’s signing for 2023. Given his place in the All Blacks propping pecking order he is unlikely to feature in the National Provincial Championship.
“To be honest I don’t think I’d ever leave the Stags to another province, as long as Southland wants me, I’ll be there,” de Groot says.
“I’m a proud Southlander and if I get opportunities to play for the Stags, I’ll play my hardest.”
Rugby Southland Director of Rugby Matt Saunders is delighted to have New Zealand’s premier loosehead prop on the books for the Stags in 2023.
“We don’t anticipate having Ethan with us this season, all going well for him, but we are extremely proud to have a home-grown, proud Southlander representing us in the black jersey.”
de Groot has played 13 tests for the All Blacks and 17 games for the Stags since his Southland debut in 2018.