Renowned Rugby Player Passes Away At Age 25
Last Tuesday, popular New Zealand rugby player, Connor Garden-Bachop, passed away after a “medical event”. He was 25.
Garden-Bachop was a player on the New Zealand professional rugby union team, The Highlanders and Māori All Blacks. No further information has been provided about the cause of his medical issue.
Rugby was in the family blood. His father played for New Zealand and Samoa, and his uncle was All Black player Graham Bachop. His mother, Sue Garden-Bachop, also represented New Zealand in rugby, basketball and field hockey. Sadly, she passed away from cancer in 2008.
“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,” New Zealand Rugby said in a statement .“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.”
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People described him as a “loving father to his twin girls,” as well as a brother and son “immeasurably loved by all those who knew him.”
The Christchurch police responded to the unexpected death on Monday night. The death currently is not being treated as suspicious.
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Connor Garden-Bachop is known for his versatility on the field, primarily playing as a winger or fullback. Connor began his professional career with Otago in New Zealand’s domestic rugby competition, the Mitre 10 Cup. He has also played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby, one of the best professional rugby competitions in the Southern Hemisphere. His performances have been marked by his speed, agility, and strong defensive skills.
