Connor Garden-Bachop dies after ‘medical event’: Tributes flow for Highlanders and Māori All Blacks player

Connor Garden-Bachop, right, following a game against the Rebels earlier this season. Photo /Getty Images

Highlanders and Māori All Blacks player Connor Garden-Bachop has died. He was 25.

The Highlanders confirmed his death to the Herald. Garden-Bachop, son of former All Black Stephen Bachop and Black Fern Sue Garden-Bachop, was part of the Highlanders’ Super Rugby Pacific squad this season.

He died following a medical event, a statement from New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association said.

“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 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.”

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Police were called to the scene of a sudden death in Fendalton, Christchurch around 5.55pm yesterday. In a statement, police said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the Coroner.”

Garden-Bachop posted on Instagram three days ago thanking the Highlanders after playing at the franchise. He made his debut for the Highlanders in 2021 and made seven appearances for the side this season, playing in the side’s final regular season defeat to the Hurricanes earlier this month.

“Thank you @highlandersteam for an unforgettable five years. 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,” he said.

Garden-Bachop attended Scots College in Wellington and made his provincial debut for Wellington against Canterbury in 2018, playing alongside his brother Jackson in a Ranfurly Shield challenge win over Hawke’s Bay in 2022 before winning the NPC title later that season. His Super Rugby debut came in 2021 against the Crusaders.

His father played five tests for the All Blacks in 1994 having earlier represented Manu Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. As well as playing for the Black Ferns, his mother represented New Zealand in touch rugby, basketball and hockey.

The joint statement from the rugby organisations paid tribute to Garden-Bachop, saying:

“Paiahaha Paiahaha

Kei te tangi te ao whutupōro

Kua hinga tētahi o ngā tama

O te papa takaro.

E te rangatira

E Connor

Kei te tangi te ao whutupōro

Takoto e moe e Hika

Attention Attention

The house of rugby laments

The passing of one of its sons

Who graced the playing fields

O Chiefly one

Connor

The rugby world weeps for you

Rest now in peace our friend”