Stephen John Bachop (born 2 April 1966 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand rugby union player and current coach. He is the older brother of fellow former All Black, Graeme Bachop.

Stephen Bachop
Birth nameStephen John Bachop
Date of birth (1966-04-02) 2 April 1966 (age 58)
Place of birthChristchurch, New Zealand
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight92 kg (14 st 7 lb; 203 lb)
SchoolHagley High School[1]
Notable relative(s)Connor Garden-Bachop (son)
Jackson Garden-Bachop (son)
Graeme Bachop (brother)
Nathan Mauger (nephew)
Aaron Mauger (nephew)
SpouseSue Garden-Bachop
Belle Hanrahan (2009 -)
Occupation(s)Rugby union coach
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1986-91
1992-96
1997-98
Linwood
Southern
Te Kawau[2]
-
-
(-)
(-)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1991
1992–96
1997–98
1998–00
2000–02
Lazio
Otago
Central Vikings
London Irish
Leeds
Blackrock College

79
22
32
42

(-)
(34)
(23)
(52)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1986–91 Canterbury 80 (-)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996
1997–98
Highlanders
Hurricanes
10
21
(10)
(15)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1991–99
1994
Samoa
New Zealand
18
5
(64)
(0)
Coaching career
Years Team
2000–02
2002
2003
2004–05
2005-present
Leeds (assistant)
Wellington Lions
Wellington U19
Wellington B (asst.)
International Rugby Academy New Zealand

Rugby career edit

Following the 1985 season, Bachop was selected as one of the "Five promising players" in the Rugby Almanack of New Zealand. He made his debut for Canterbury in the 1986 South Pacific Championship match against Auckland in which he marked All Black Grant Fox. As with his predecessor at Canterbury, Wayne Smith, Bachop was not a goal kicker and this was the role of Robbie Deans.

Bachop had two spells in the National Provincial Championship with each Canterbury and Otago, and also played for the Highlanders in the first Super 12 season in 1996. He then moved north in 1997 and for the next two seasons played with the Central Vikings in the NPC second division and for the Hurricanes in the Super 12.[3]

Bachop had a key role in Otago's back to back wins over the British and Irish Lions in 1993 and the Springboks in 1994.

All Blacks statistics edit

Tests: 5 (0 as Captain)
Games: 13 (0 as Captain)
Total Matches: 18 (0 as Captain)
Test Points: 0pts
Game Points: 33pts (6t, 0c, 0p, 1dg, 0m)
Total Points: 33pts (6t, 0c, 0p, 1dg, 0m)

Family edit

Bachop is of Samoan, Tahitian and Cook Islands Heritage.

Several of Bachop's relatives have played sport at a high level, among them brother Graeme Bachop and nephews Aaron Mauger and Nathan Mauger, all of whom have played for the All Blacks. Stephen's wife was Sue Garden-Bachop, a New Zealand representative and coach at women's rugby. Their son, Jackson Garden-Bachop, is also a professional rugby player, and their daughter Georgia Garden-Bachop has represented New Zealand at age-group level at hockey. Another uncle of Aaron and Nathan is former world speedway champion Ivan Mauger.

References edit

  1. ^ "Could the 1984/85 be the best NZ Schools Rugby Tour ever?!". College Sport Media. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. ^ Stephen John Bachop at New Zealand Rugby History
  3. ^ https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/index.php?playerId=1125

External links edit