Graeme Bachop

Rugger
name = Graeme Bachop


birthname = Graeme Thomas Miro Bachop
nickname = Grim
dateofbirth = December 21, 1967 (age 40)
| placeofbirth = Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand
age =
height = 1.81m(5ft 11in)
weight = convert|96|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position =Halfback/Scrum-half
ru_currentclub =
ru_amateuryears = 1985-1994
1994-1997
ru_amateurclubs = Linwood
ChCh HSOB
ru_amateurcaps = -
-
ru_amateurpoints = (-)
(-)
ru_amupdate =2007-02-13
allblackid = 28
allblackno = 885
ru_nationalyears = 1987-1995
ru_nationalteam = New Zealand
ru_nationalcaps = 31
ru_nationalpoints = (18)
ru_ntupdate = 13 February, 2007
super14 =
super14caps = -
super14points = (-)
super14years =
super14update =
ru_province = Canterbury
ru_provinceyears =
ru_provincecaps = -
ru_provincepoints = (-)
ru_provinceupdate =
other = yes
occupation = Amateur rugby union footballer
school = Hagley High School
spouse = Ange Bachop
relatives = Stephen Bachop (brother)
Nathan Mauger (nephew)
Aaron Mauger (nephew)
URL =

Graeme Bachop is a former rugby player from New Zealand.

He played for the Linwood Rugby club for ten years (1985-1994) followed by four years (1994-1997) at Christchurch High School Old Boys. His move to HSOB allowed him to develop a combination with first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens. In 1987 he was selected for the 1987 trip to Japan in place of David Kirk who had retired after the 1987 Rugby World Cup. Bachop was one of very few players to be selected for New Zealand before ever having represented his province. In 1989 he was promoted to test halfback under coach Alex Wyllie, winning the test place ahead of Bruce Deans, and remained top choice in that position until Wyllie was no longer All Black coach. Brought back again in 1994, Graeme Bachop was widely considered to be the best halfback at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In 1994 he enjoyed the chance to play for New Zealand alongside his brother Stephen.

After returning from the World Cup in South Africa in 1995, Bachop took up a contract to play rugby in Japan. In doing so he gave up his eligibility to play for the All Blacks as players must play within New Zealand to be eligible for selection. The new All Black coach, John Hart, thought so highly of Bachop's skills that he attempted to have the NZRFU change its eligibility rules so he could continue in the national side. The NZRFU were unwilling to change the rule and Bachop settled in Japan with the Sannix Club. This left a gap at halfback for the All Blacks, which his club team High School Old Boys were happy to fill with Justin Marshall.

All Blacks statistics

*Tests: 31 (0 as Captain)
*Games: 23 (0 as Captain)
*Total Matches: 54 (0 as Captain)
*Test Points: 18pts (4t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
*Game Points: 61pts (15t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
*Total Points: 79pts (19t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)

ee also

*High School Old Boys RFC

External links

*All Blacks|id=28|name=Graeme Bachop