He had a stellar debut for the All Blacks against Japan in November, then won a Super Rugby title with the Crusaders in July this year and, this month, produced a top-class performance on the left wing against the Wallabies in a high-pressure game at Eden Park.
Chick Bridge, who co-ordinates the Gateway careers programme at Gisborne Boys’ High School, said her son was “over the moon” to make the squad.
Players picked for the Rugby World Cup in Japan were not told of their selections before the announcement, she said.
She turned on the radio and monitored Facebook, her husband Crispin Bridge was at their Manutuke home and watched the TV broadcast, and one of their sons, Ruie, 28, was also home, smartphone at the ready.
Another son, Henry, 26, listened to the radio at work in Auckland, Chick Bridge said.
Her phone was running “red hot” yesterday with messages of congratulations and she said teachers at the school were supportive.
The All Blacks will try to win an unprecedented third successive Rugby World Cup.
Chick and Crispin Bridge plan to fly to Japan to watch some of the tournament, which starts next month.
The couple enjoyed being part of George’s journey and though they were not surprised he made the cut, it was nice to have that confirmed, Crispin said.
He was “very excited for the young man”.
“We certainly are having a lot of fun following his career,” Crispin said.
“We’re thrilled he’s got to this stage.
“We look forward to the next nine weeks — and beyond.”
They drove from Gisborne to Auckland to watch his performance against Australia this month.
Crispin said his son made the most of his opportunities in that game.
But George stayed “pretty grounded”.
“He knows what he’s got to do and doesn’t get too wound up.”
Asked about the style of game his son brought — full of energy, typically — Crispin said George approached life and sport in much the same way, giving it 100 percent.
“He’s always played rugby like that since he was five.”
George Bridge is a former pupil of Awapuni School and Gisborne Intermediate.
Prop Atu Moli, 24, who was born in Gisborne, also made the Rugby World Cup squad. He is a former pupil of Gisborne’s Riverdale School.
Moli attended Marlborough Boys’ College, represented New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2013 and was captain of the 2015 world championship-winning New Zealand under-20 side.
He plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and made his debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in July, coming on as a substitute after 60 minutes.
The All Blacks will kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against South Africa in Yokohama on September 21.
The final is on November 2.
