The New Zealand Rugby Union pro, who played for Highlanders and Māori All Blacks, died after a “medical event”.He was part of the Highlanders’ Super Rugby Pacific squad this season and died on Monday. Connor was the son of All Blacks player Stephen Bachop and Black Fern athlete Sue Garden-Bachop and a dad to twin girls.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed his death to the New Zealand Herald in a joint statement with the Highlanders today. They described him as a “fantastic young player” and a “committed and popular teammate with infectious energy”.
Māori All Blacks Statement
“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. “He will be remembered as a popular teammate amongst the Māori All Blacks, Highlanders and Wellington.”
