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How farming roots prepared Ethan de Groot for world rugby
The Rural Roundup • August 10th, 2026 1:48 pm
Ethan de Groot during the 2026 Nations Championship | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Ethan de Groot’s rural upbringing was the pathway that led him to becoming a resilient and powerful All Black.
The lessons came on farms, in wool sheds, and through long days of hard work alongside people he still rates among the toughest, despite competing against some of the world's best rugby players.
The 43-Test prop spoke with The Rural Roundup host Erin Speedy from South Africa, where he's currently in camp with the All Blacks: “I grew up working on farms and neighbours' farms, grew up in the wool sheds, crutching and shearing with my mates throughout school.
“I think it definitely teaches you how to work hard, that's for sure.”
Erin's young son crashes interview with All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot | The Rural Roundup
The 28-year-old said that lifestyle also gave him perspective and a mindset able to cope, especially once rugby became his full-time job.
“Getting up early and doing a full day's work and then it also teaches you to be grateful why you're here because you know how tough it is when you're not playing rugby, especially when I was in the sheds working, some of the hardest workers in the world.
“It definitely teaches you work ethic, that's for sure.”
That background also prepared him for physical resilience, stating “shearing's probably harder on the back than hopping in scrums.”
Ethan de Groot playing for the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific | Photo: John Davidson
Away from rugby, de Groot turns to the outdoors to get his ducks in a row, utilising hunting to get clear of the noise that comes with the professional game, that now includes giving content creation a go with his Outdoors with Groota channel while balancing his duties as a dedicated husband and father.
“When you're out there, obviously you've got no phone service, so no one can get a hold of you, which is brilliant.
“I just just think it's the mental switch off from rugby when you've got the dogs bailing, or you've gotta dear in your sights, you're not really thinking about rugby, so it's just a full mental switch-off for me, and get away from it all.”
Listen to the full interview below:
