Connor Garden-Bachop already has strong links to the region with his father, former All Black Stephen Bachop having played for Otago between 1992-1996.

Connor's successful debut season saw him pick up 'Highlanders Rookie of the Year' at the 2021 Highlanders awards evening and he added another 11 caps in 2022 in his second season with the team. 

Connor was also selected for the Māori All Blacks in 2022 and debuted in June during the two-test series against Ireland.