Tremendous Rugby participant Connor Backyard-Bachop has died on the age of 25, New Zealand Rugby has confirmed.
The son of former All Black and Samoa outside-half Stephen and nephew of ex-All Black scrum-half Graeme, the winger had simply ended a five-year spell with the Highlanders. He additionally performed for the Maori All Blacks.
In an announcement, New Zealand Rugby mentioned he died “following a medical event” in Christchurch on Monday.
“All of rugby walks alongside the Garden-Bachop family at this time and we are collectively united in our grief,” learn the assertion, which was additionally signed by the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board, the Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Gamers’ Affiliation.
“Connor was a fantastic young player, an exciting New Zealand age-grade representative and a proud Maori All Black.
“Wherever he performed, he was a dedicated and standard team-mate with infectious vitality and somebody who may gentle 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.”
The assertion included a verse within the indigenous Maori language, which included the road “the rugby world weeps for you”.
