Rugby-De Groot banned for two matches as All Blacks challenge fails

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - New Zealand v South Africa - World Cup warm-up - Twickenham Stadium, London, Britain - August 25, 2023 South Africa's Malcolm Marx in action with New Zealand's Ethan de Groot Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo

SAINT-ETIENNE (Reuters) - All Blacks prop Ethan De Groot has been banned for New Zealand's last two World Cup pool matches after failing to convince the judiciary that his foul play in last week's win over Namibia did not meet the red card threshold.

De Groot was shown a yellow card for making contact with the head of Adriaan Booysen in the last 10 minutes of New Zealand's 71-3 win at Stadium de Toulouse but it was upgraded to a red after being reviewed by the TMO.