De Groot is on leave after returning from Europe with the All Blacks.
It was a challenging tour for the hulking Highlanders prop as he was dropped for the England test for a breach of team protocol and left out of the match-day squads for the premier tests against France and Ireland, leaving Tamaiti Williams the preferred loosehead.
Joseph has not yet had a chance to talk to de Groot, who is preparing to get married next month, but said the player had popped into Highlanders headquarters to talk to the medical and training staff.
He did not expect to have any issues getting de Groot feeling happy and motivated for another big season.
"Not really. He’s a pretty solid guy.
"I’m not sure exactly what happened. There’s all sorts of things happening with All Blacks.
"I look at Ethan’s situation and would think that he’d be a pretty hungry athlete next year, which is good for the Highlanders — because he loves the Highlanders.
"He’s been in the team for a long time. He is from the region. His values are the values of the team and the club.
"I suspect he’s going to come back really hungry, but he also needs to rest. It’s a big year for All Blacks."
