Star Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot has re-signed to play for his three beloved teams until the end of 2026.
He will probably not get many more opportunities to wear Stags maroon, but he is set to be a cornerstone in Highlanders and All Blacks jerseys for years to come.
De Groot (24), who has 13 test caps with the prospect of gaining many more, gave a quiet nod yesterday when asked if it was a no-brainer to stay with the Highlanders and New Zealand rugby.
"Yeah, it was a pretty easy decision to stay," he said.
"I didn’t even look to go anywhere else."
De Groot is a treasured son of Gore, and the antlers symbol he performs after scoring a try indicates his heart will always lie with the Stags.
But he is now entrenched in the city as he chases his rugby dreams and embraces life with his Super Rugby Pacific club.
"Dunedin is the place I call home now, even though I am from further south. I’ve got a house and stuff here now, and I’m enjoying it.
"I’m always grateful to wear the Highlanders jersey week-in and week-out. I never thought I would be a Highlander or reach as far as I have, so I still pinch myself every day when I rock up and get to catch balls from Aaron Smith and that sort of stuff."
A lot can happen in a year, as the burly prop knows.
He was a notable absence from the All Blacks squad that played (and lost) to Ireland last year.
Told to focus on his fitness and workrate, he returned to the national side with steam coming out of his ears and was the first-choice loosehead for the rest of the season.
"No-one likes being left out, and it happened to me," de Groot said.
"It did light a fire in the belly, and I went away and worked on myself, and it paid dividends.
"My goal this year is obviously the World Cup — I want to go to France.
"After that, I will just take it year by year, but I’d like to win a title here with the Highlanders. That’s the dream, and I’m happy to be here."
De Groot is part of two outstanding propping combinations.
He and Jermaine Ainsley have been bedrocks of an excellent Highlanders scrum, and he and Tyrel Lomax — also locked down until 2026 — took great strides in test rugby last year.
This weekend should be one to watch as de Groot faces Lomax in the Highlanders-Hurricanes clash in Dunedin.
"It’s going to be a good challenge, and I’m excited to play against my mate.
"Jermaine has been unreal, and our hookers. And the guys behind like Pari Pari [Parkinson] — he’s a freak, a 130kg lock, and it’s pretty tough to push him back."
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said the club was "extremely proud" of de Groot’s success.
"He’s a local lad and his achievements are an inspiration to many young players by showing what can be achieved and what is possible if you dream big and work hard.
"We are currently committing to a number of players from our region and having key players like Ethan allows us to continue to build better teams for the future."
Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said de Groot had come a long way.
"His consistent performances and selection for the All Blacks are testament to his dedication to improvement and the genuine talent he possesses.
"He has the capability over the next three years to play a lot of rugby for the All Blacks and to be a key part of the Highlanders engine room.
"I am excited about the level to which he could take his game over the next few years. He’s a proud Southlander and his commitment for another three years to the Highlanders is certainly great news for our team and our region.".
