Ethan de Groot

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.

New Zealand coach Ian Foster had suggested the All Blacks would argue that the challenge started as shoulder-to-shoulder contact and therefore was not a red card offence.

The 13-Test prop will remain with the Highlanders and Southland.

"It was an easy decision to stay in New Zealand," said de Groot.

"All I want to do is play for my country and represent my home region."

RNZ reports after missing selection for the series defeat to Ireland, de Groot fought his way back into the squad and cemented himself as the first-choice loosehead for the remaining 10 Tests of the season.

"We are proud of the work Ethan has put into his career so far," said NZR chief executive Mark Robinson.