Connor Garden-Bachop playing against the Hurricanes in Wellington in 2022. Photo: Elias Rodriguez/PhotoSport
Highlanders and Māori All Blacks player Connor Garden-Bachop has died aged 25.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed his death and said Garden-Bachop died on Monday following a medical event.
Garden-Bachop made his Highlanders debut in 2021 and played five seasons with the franchise.
He played provincial rugby for both Canterbury and Wellington and attended Scots College in Wellington.
The Highlanders announced the departure of several players from the team for next year, including Garden-Bachop, last week.
Connor Garden-Bachop (centre) of the Highlanders is tackled by Jordan Petaia (left) and Jock Campbell (right) of the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Garden-Bachop then made a social media post thanking the Highlanders for an "unforgettable five years" at the Dunedin based franchise.
"Thank you to everyone in the south for making me feel at home, and thank you to the boys I have been honoured to share the field with, it's been a pleasure, I will miss you all. Till next time #300."
His father Stephen Bachop and uncle Graeme Bachop both played for the All Blacks, while his mother Sue Garden-Bachop, who died of cancer in 2009, played for the Black Ferns.
His brother Jackson Garden-Bachop played six seasons for the Hurricanes and currently plays for Brive in the French Top 14 competition.
'United in our grief'
New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association released a statement confirming Garden-Bachop's death.
"On behalf of the entire rugby community, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association would like to extend our deepest thoughts and love to the Garden-Bachop family."
"Connor passed away on Monday following a medical event, and rugby's collective focus at this time is on supporting his family. All of rugby walks alongside the Garden-Bachop family at this time and we are collectively united in our grief.
"Connor was a fantastic young player, an exciting New Zealand age-grade representative and a proud Māori All Black. Wherever he played, he was a committed and popular teammate with infectious energy and someone who could light up the room.
"Most importantly, he was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him.
NZR, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the Players Association are providing support and ask that the privacy of the Garden-Bachop family is respected."