Following a medical incident on Monday, Connor passed away. At this moment, rugby’s collective emphasis is on providing support for his family, according to a statement released by New Zealand Rugby.
Son of former All Black Stephen Bachop, Garden-Bachop was a player for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition this year.
The winger is from a family of New Zealand international rugby players and also represented the Maori All Blacks.
All of rugby walks alongside the Garden-Bachop family at this time and we are collectively united in our grief, said the statement.
Connor was a proud Māori All Black, a fantastic young player, and an exciting age-grade representative for New Zealand. He was a dedicated and well-liked team member who could light up the room and bring an infectious spirit to any game he played.
Most importantly, he was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him.
His uncle, Graeme Bachop, was an All Blacks player, and his mother, Susan Garden-Bachop, was a member of the Black Ferns in New Zealand.
Garden-Bachop, the father of twin girls, joined the Highlanders in 2021 and went on to play in 30 Super Rugby games.
He was one of several players the team had stated would not be back the following season.
Garden-Bachop recently gave the Dunedin-based squad accolades in an Instagram post.
Thank you @highlandersteam for an unforgettable five years, he tweeted.
I want to express my gratitude to everyone in the south for making me feel at home. I also want to express my gratitude to the boys I had the privilege of playing football with; it has been fun and I will miss you all. Until the next occasion.
