Stephen Bachop
Encyclopedia
Stephen Bachop is a former rugby player from New Zealand
. He is the older brother of fellow All Black Graeme Bachop
.
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.
which covered the 1991
and 1999 Rugby World Cup
s.
He was a member of the All Blacks' tour of Australia
and South Africa
in 1992 but could not displace Grant Fox
from the tests. He was also selected for the tour of Scotland
and England
in 1993 but even though Fox had retired by then Bachop could not make the test lineup. Instead the young utility back Marc Ellis was preferred. While Bachop was seen as a talented and skilful player some coaches led by Laurie Mains
had reservations about his defensive frailties.
Unable to gain an All Black place, he took advantage of his Samoan
heritage to play for their national team at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
. But the loose international eligibility regulations of the time saw him switching allegiance back to New Zealand in 1992.
Bachop at last gained an All Black test position when he played on five occasions against France, South Africa and Australia in the 1994 season. Graeme, who had been overlooked for the All Blacks inexplicably for three years, was recalled to partner Stephen in four of these tests.
In the late 1990s, with the international regulations still somewhat loose, Bachop resumed his association with Manu Samoa and had a starring role at the 1999 Rugby World Cup
. In 1991 Samoa, with Bachop at first five, had enjoyed a famous win over Wales
at Cardiff Arms Park
and eight years later that was repeated and again Bachop was a dominant figure. Despite now being well into his 30s he scored two tries.
By then his brother had been in Japan
for many years and twice in 1999 the two brothers appeared against each other in internationals: in a World Cup pool match in Wales
and earlier in the year in a Pacific Rim tournament match. Stephen spent the latter part of his career with Leeds Tykes
and London Irish
playing in British and European competitions and in 2002 he returned to New Zealand helping the Wellington coaching staff in the NPC.
Bachop was omitted in 1995 for the World Cup even though he played in all of the trials. The young Andrew Mehrtens
had then emerged and Bachop did not play again for the All Blacks.
and Nathan Mauger
, followed them into Canterbury
sides and became All Blacks together on the 2002 tour of Scotland
, Ireland
and Argentina
.
Bachop's wife Sue (née Garden) appeared for the New Zealand Women's Rugby team
in 1989-1991 and briefly coached a men's senior team in Wellington
.
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)
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He is the older brother of fellow All Black Graeme Bachop
Graeme Bachop
Graeme Bachop is a former rugby player from New Zealand of Samoan,Tahitian and Cook Islands Heritage.He played for the Linwood Rugby club for ten years followed by four years at Christchurch High School Old Boys. His move to HSOB allowed him to develop a combination with first five-eighths Andrew...
.
Provincial
Bachop had two spells in the National Provincial ChampionshipAir New Zealand Cup
The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...
with each Canterbury
Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
and Otago
Otago Rugby Football Union
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
, and also played for the Highlanders in the first Super 12
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
season in 1996
1996 Super 12 season
The 1996 Super 12 season was the inaugural season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1996, with each team playing all the others once...
. He then moved north in 1997 and for the next two seasons played with the Central Vikings
Central Vikings Rugby Union
Central Vikings Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played in two seasons of the NPC from 1997-1998. The team featured current and future All Blacks, as well as a former All Black in coach Frank Oliver.-History:...
in the NPC second division
Heartland Championship
The Heartland Championship New Zealand Division One competition, known for sponsorship reasons as the AA Rewards Heartland Championship, is a domestic rugby union competition in New Zealand. It was founded in 2006 as one of two successor competitions to the country's former domestic competition,...
and for the Hurricanes
Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise)
The Hurricanes are a New Zealand professional Rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in the Super Rugby competition...
in the Super 12.
Bachop had a key role in Otago
Otago Rugby Football Union
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
's back to back wins over the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
in 1993 and the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
in 1994.
International
Although his brother Graeme had the more significant All Black career, Bachop played extensively in two stints with Manu SamoaSamoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
which covered the 1991
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
and 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
s.
He was a member of the All Blacks' tour of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1992 but could not displace Grant Fox
Grant Fox
Grant James Fox is a former rugby union player from New Zealand. He was born in New Plymouth. He attended Auckland Grammar school....
from the tests. He was also selected for the tour of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1993 but even though Fox had retired by then Bachop could not make the test lineup. Instead the young utility back Marc Ellis was preferred. While Bachop was seen as a talented and skilful player some coaches led by Laurie Mains
Laurie Mains
Laurence William 'Laurie' Mains MNZM is a former rugby union footballer and coach who represented New Zealand. Mains' representative career started when he first played for Otago in 1967. He made his All Blacks début in 1971, against the British and Irish Lions. His last Test was against Ireland...
had reservations about his defensive frailties.
Unable to gain an All Black place, he took advantage of his Samoan
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
heritage to play for their national team at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
. But the loose international eligibility regulations of the time saw him switching allegiance back to New Zealand in 1992.
Bachop at last gained an All Black test position when he played on five occasions against France, South Africa and Australia in the 1994 season. Graeme, who had been overlooked for the All Blacks inexplicably for three years, was recalled to partner Stephen in four of these tests.
In the late 1990s, with the international regulations still somewhat loose, Bachop resumed his association with Manu Samoa and had a starring role at the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
. In 1991 Samoa, with Bachop at first five, had enjoyed a famous win over Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
at Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
and eight years later that was repeated and again Bachop was a dominant figure. Despite now being well into his 30s he scored two tries.
By then his brother had been in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
for many years and twice in 1999 the two brothers appeared against each other in internationals: in a World Cup pool match in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and earlier in the year in a Pacific Rim tournament match. Stephen spent the latter part of his career with Leeds Tykes
Leeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
and London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
playing in British and European competitions and in 2002 he returned to New Zealand helping the Wellington coaching staff in the NPC.
Bachop was omitted in 1995 for the World Cup even though he played in all of the trials. The young Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Philip Mehrtens MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, currently playing in France for Béziers, a club in the third-level Fédérale 1 league...
had then emerged and Bachop did not play again for the All Blacks.
Family
The remarkable family record of the Bachop brothers was extended in the early 2000s when their nephews, Aaron MaugerAaron Mauger
Aaron Joseph Douglas Mauger is a former rugby union player who played at centre for Leicester Tigers. He previously played first five-eighths and second five-eighths for Canterbury , the Crusaders and the New Zealand All Blacks...
and Nathan Mauger
Nathan Mauger
Nathan Keith Mauger is a rugby union player. He spent the entirety of his Super Rugby career with the Canterbury Crusaders. He played for the All Blacks in 2002 in which he played 2 games but never played a test. He made his debut against Ireland A and played his latest game against Scotland A....
, followed them into Canterbury
Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
sides and became All Blacks together on the 2002 tour of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Bachop's wife Sue (née Garden) appeared for the New Zealand Women's Rugby team
Black Ferns
The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols...
in 1989-1991 and briefly coached a men's senior team in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
.
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)