RUGBY player Connor Garden-Bachop has died aged just 25.
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 statement today.
They described him as a “fantastic young player” and a “committed and popular teammate with infectious energy“.
A touching tribute posted by the union to X read: “Our deepest condolences are with the family, friends and teammates of Connor Garden-Bachop who passed away yesterday.
“He will be remembered as a popular teammate amongst the Māori All Blacks, Highlanders and Wellington.”
He was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him
New Zealand Rugby
Their full statement read: “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.”
Fans paid tribute to the athlete after his death was announced on X.
One wrote: “This was a shock, I did not expect to be waking up to this today… forever in our memories.”
Someone else said: “So very very sad”.
Connor made his debut for the Highlanders in 2021 and had seven appearances with them this season, playing with them in their defeat to the Hurricanes earlier this month.
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