Ethan de Groot signs new contract with All Blacks until 2029

All Blacks loosehead prop Ethan de Groot has committed his future to New Zealand rugby until 2029. The decision ensures he will remain with the national side, the Highlanders, and Southland for the next three seasons.

This announcement followed the All Blacks' 54-0 win over the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday night, where De Groot played for 54 minutes. The 43-Test veteran has recently established himself as a leading loosehead prop following a successful Super Rugby campaign. During this year, the 76-cap player also took on co-captaincy responsibilities.

De Groot noted that the birth of his first child, Nova, influenced his choice to stay in New Zealand. He expressed pride in representing his province and country, stating that staying in the south to play for his region was a simple decision. He remains motivated by upcoming milestones, including the Nations Championship, the tour of South Africa, and next year's World Cup.

By securing this contract, De Groot remains eligible for the next British & Irish Lions tour. He intends to maintain his current form to ensure he is available for those major international fixtures. The player highlighted that while the season has started with three wins, significant work remains ahead.