Stephen Bachop

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

Rugby career

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.

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

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 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 sons, Connor Garden-Bachop and Jackson Garden-Bachop, are also professional rugby players, 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.