All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot was stood down from the clash against England in London after a breach of team protocols.
According to the Otago Daily Times, head coach Scott Robertson confirmed the decision to omit De Groot from the matchday squad was based solely on a transgression of team rules, rather than any on-field issues.
“Ethan did not meet the team’s internal standards,” Robertson explained. When pressed for further details, he reiterated, “Just the internal standards. He did not meet that in general, so he is not available to play this week.”
While the specifics of De Groot’s breach remain undisclosed, the All Blacks have made it clear that he remains eligible for the showdown against Ireland in Dublin next week.
Stepping up in De Groot’s absence, Tamaiti Williams has been named to start at loosehead prop, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi providing cover on the bench.
De Groot has held the starting loosehead position for much of the season, with six Test appearances, including both clashes with England in July.
His recent exclusion echoes a similar disciplinary action last year when All Blacks wing Mark Tele’a was benched for the World Cup quarter-final against Ireland due to a protocol violation. Tele’a went on to regain his place in the starting lineup for the semi-final and final.
Photo: EPA/Neil Hall
