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Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot has found his ideal playing weight at 126kg, shedding 9kg since his provincial campaign with Southland.
Highlanders loosehead prop Ethan de Groot says the dominant Reds scrum powered by Taniela Tupou has been given more leeway by Australian whistleblowers than referees would allow in New Zealand, setting the scene for a fiery set-piece tussle on Friday. Tupou, aka the Tongan Thor, has been devouring Australian looseheads all season in the Super Rugby AU competition, and the Highlanders will get first crack at the Wallabies powerhouse in the first game of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition in Dunedin.
Super Rugby: Highlanders have plan to deal to Reds prop Taniela Tupou stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.