The New Zealand rugby union community has come together to pay respect to Connor Garden-Bachop, who died on Monday aged 25.
Garden-Bachop died following a “medical event”, according to a joint statement released by New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Players Association.
He was a Māori All Blacks representative who played for the Highlanders in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“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,” the joint statement read.
“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.”
Garden-Bachop, an outside back, played for the Māori All Blacks in 2022 and made his Highlanders debut the previous year.
His father, Stephen, played for the All Blacks and Manu Samoa, and his mother, Sue, represented the Black Ferns.
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