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Ex-All Black takes aim at Ethan de Groot for 'taking the p***'

Ethan de Groot of the Highlanders looks on during the round six Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on March 30, 2024, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Former All Black halfback Justin Marshall has taken aim at Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot for ‘taking the p***’ during the Highlanders tense 7-6 win over the Force in Dunedin.

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In a game plagued by stoppages due to errors and turnovers the spectacle suffered as the Highlanders and Force became entrenched in a messy game. Both sides committed 20 turnovers each, an obscenely high amount.

The speed of the game was also not helped when All Black prop Ethan de Groot needed a change of boots due to issues with grip on the playing surface.

De Groot’s on-field sprig change just 19 minutes into the contest included a full boot clean, with the medic scrapping off the grass while every player waited.

Talking on SENZ Radio and offering his dig of the week, Marshall believed that should any player need equipment changed, the game must play on instead of stopping to accomodate the needs of one player.

“I think what we are trying to do is keep the ball in play more, we are trying to speed the game up,” Marshall told SENZ Radio

“I feel the referees and ARs can recognise times to keep the game flowing when players are quite literally taking the p*** with slowing the game down.

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“We saw it last night in the game between the Force and Highlanders where Ethan de Groot probably soaked up about four or five minutes while getting the sprigs in his boots changed.

“I get it, he needed to change them, it might have been a grip problem or whatever, but that can be done in the background while the game is still going on.

“If he didn’t have his equipment ready and right to go at the start of the game, and need to change it, well you are going to have to do that and survive with 14 men.

“We just need to be smarter. Often you see players going down for no real reason, they are way out of play not seriously hurt, we just need to keep the game flowing.

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“Keep the game flowing as much as we can.”

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Comments

6 Comments
c
carlos 446 days ago

I was never allowed to adjust boots, or ever replaced, while I was playing and staying on the field. If I had issues, I had to go to the sideline and fix them myself. Then I would ask the ref to get back in. That would really make you deal with it FAST!

D
DC 446 days ago

well maybe the match offficals should sort it out if they are worried about it and stop the clock

A
AN 446 days ago

I totally agree. I also believe that minor injuries unless dangerous must be treared OFF the field of play and the game continue with a temp replacement if necessary.

R
Red and White Dynamight 446 days ago

Quite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.

G
GG 445 days ago

Geez, White and Pink, didn’t take long to mention Boks 😂 I do though agree that to watch a game live is tiresome with all the bloody stoppages and TMO involvements. I find that the constant replays going back endless phases to try and find a minute infringement to reverse a try is killing the spit is of the game. Go back max 2 phases and then the result is fixed.

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JG 22 minutes ago
Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

Well said RugCs. These rankings never have and never will be of any significance to the Springboks. Our team plays to win for its country and its people. How many times do Rassie and Siya need to repeat that before it sinks in. Speak to Razor Robertson and I suspect he will tell you the same thing. Our countries will not allow their rugby success to be measured by an illogical, mathematically complicated concoction of a ranking system, dreamt up by some disgruntled and status-starved Northern Hemisphere lackeys of World Rugby in an attempt to score themselves some desperate international recognition as being the “best of world rugby”. What absolute hogwash!!

As with any of the other major team sports that compete for World Cup glory, a nation’s success is measured by its ability to win the “holy grail” of the sport - the World Cup!!!

Between them, the world's undisputed best two teams, South Africa and New Zealand hold 7 of the 10 World Cup Champions titles won thus far in Rugby's history. Until such time as any other nation surpasses that, you can bring along as many ranking systems as you like - you will NOT change that status quo.

AND here’s the irony. These two true champion rugby nations, neither of whom have the highest regard for World Rugby's “plastic ranking system” - quite coincidentally happen to be the top two teams on that very ranking table. Now, isn’t that hilarious.

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