New Zealand Rugby Legend Connor Garden-Bachop’s Death Linked to Heart Condition
- A coroner revealed an underlying medical condition as the cause of rugby star Connor Garden-Bachop's sudden death
- Garden-Bachop had a promising rugby career with the Highlanders and New Zealand Maori before his tragic passing
- The rugby community mourned Garden-Bachop, alongside other players lost to medical conditions and head trauma
A coroner disclosed the cause of death of New Zealand rugby legend Connor Garden-Bachop, who passed away in June 2024. The 25-year-old, who played for the Highlanders and New Zealand Maori, died suddenly while staying with family in Christchurch, leaving rugby fans in New Zealand and around the world shocked.
Source: Getty Images
On Monday, 9 February 2026, the coroner’s findings unveiled the circumstances surrounding his death, following a thorough process of medical reviews and a post-mortem examination. Garden-Bachop was found unresponsive in bed. According to the Daily Telegraph coroner explained that an underlying medical condition may have contributed to his death, explaining that “death can occur when the heart develops an abnormal heartbeat and then stops.”
Connor Garden-Bachop’s rugby career
Garden-Bachop was a professional rugby union player known for his pace and finishing skills, playing primarily on the wing and at fullback. He attended Scots College in Wellington, progressing through age-grade levels into senior rugby. He later represented Canterbury and Wellington at the provincial level before making his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders in 2021, going on to play 36 matches for the Dunedin franchise between 2021 and 2024. As a Highlander, he scored crucial tries and was a key attacking player.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
In 2022, he earned two caps for the New Zealand Maori, showcasing his talent on an international level. During his career, Garden-Bachop experienced episodic concussions, including a significant incident roughly a month before his death.
A forensic pathologist, Dr Leslie Anderson, considered whether a seizure may have occurred but stated that with “no seizure history and an abnormal heart,” this scenario was unlikely. The case was referred to a cardiac inherited disease group, but no genetic condition or abnormality was found.
Source: Getty Images
Rugby stars lost to medical conditions
Connor Garden-Bachop is not the only rugby player to have tragically passed due to medical conditions. In August 2025, former New Zealand rugby player Shane Christie died at the age of 39 due to the effects of multiple concussions. Other notable losses include Springboks star Cornal Hendricks, who passed away in May, highlighting the risks rugby players face from underlying medical issues.
Hendricks was diagnosed with a serious heart condition in 2016 while preparing to join the Stormers and Toulon. This halted major contracts and derailed his playing path. Although he made a remarkable comeback in 2019 and continued his career, that early period marked a forced retirement in his mid-20s.
Rugby stars forced to retire
Briefly News previously reported that several top stars in the past have had to call time on their careers due to serious health issues or life-threatening injuries.
The Springboks have not been spared from this reality, with several South African players forced to retire in recent years.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
