TestNG Parameters are not recognized when using Groups

Question

When running test suite using testNG xml, the test will run fine and all of the parameters from the xml file are used as expected. The moment I added grouping to my @Test Methods, and add the groups xml I get a failed:java.lang.nullpointerException. The @Test run perfectly when running the Class or from the XML.

BEFORE: All runs fine

<!DOCTYPE suite SYSTEM "https://testng.org/testng-1.0.dtd" >
  
<suite name="Suite1" verbose="1" >
    <parameter name="User" value="Admin"/>
    <parameter name="Password" value="something"/>
  <test name="ExampleTest" >
    <classes>
      <class name="test1"/>
      <class name="test2"/>
    </classes>
  </test>
</suite>

AFTER - @BeforeClass fails with Null.PointerException

<suite name="Suite1" verbose="1" >
    <parameter name="User" value="Admin"/>
    <parameter name="Password" value="something"/>
  <test name="ExampleTest" >
          <groups>
              <run>
                  <include name = "setup"/>
                  <exclude name = "functional"/>
                  <include name = "regression"/>
              </run>
          </groups>

    <classes>
      <class name="test1"/>
      <class name="test2"/>
    </classes>
  </test>
</suite>

NOTE: I've tagged the @BeforeClass with @BeforeClass(groups = {"setup"}) and it does not work.

Answer 1

All, the answer is this. My test class extends a class that uses a @BeforeSuite and @AfterSuite. When I added alwaysRun = true to the @BeforeSuite/@AfterSuite it worked as expected.