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De Groot returns to All Blacks, Newell out

Ethan de Groot All Blacks rugby
Ethan de Groot rejoined the All Blacks after playing for Southland in the NPC. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Both the All Blacks and Australia have been bolstered by the return of players from injury ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship test in Sydney.


All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot has recovered from a neck injury that prevented him touring South Africa and joined the squad when it left for Sydney on Sunday, having tested his neck for the Southland Stags in their NPC game against Canterbury in Invercargill on Friday.


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"I'm excited to get back into camp with the boys and head over to Sydney. I'm looking forward to it," said de Groot.


"My neck is feeling good. It was good to get a run for Southland on Friday night. It wasn't in my plans to play for Southland this year.


"Normally, it's if you've done something wrong or got an injury, but it was good to get down there, especially for a home game in front of all the Southland fans.



"The strength in my arm has come back really well and I'm ready to hook back into it."


However, tighthead prop Fletcher Newell could not travel as he suffered a calf injury against South Africa in Cape Town.


He will be reassessed before the return test with Australia in Wellington next week. Auckland lock Patrick Tuipulotu has also returned the squad after a brief injury lay-off.



The match is a chance for the Australians to rebound from their humiliating 67-27 loss to Argentina in their last outing.


"After getting a much-needed win in the first Test, then making a good start in the second test, we had a very disappointing final 40 minutes in Argentina," said head coach Joe Schmidt.


"The Bledisloe test in Sydney offers a great opportunity to turn that poor finish around."



Flanker Fraser McReight has recovered from the hand injury that prevented him from appearing against the Springboks and Argentina, while centre Hunter Paisami has recovered from a knee injury suffered against South Africa in their second test in Perth.


In the front row, Isaac Kailea recovered after returning home early from Argentina as the result of a head knock.


If selected, the test will be a chance for prop James Slipper to play his 140th test and become Australia's most-capped player ahead of former halfback George Gregan.

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