Graeme Bachop
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| Graeme Bachop | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graeme Thomas Miro Bachop | ||
| Date of birth | December 21, 1967 (age 39) | ||
| Place of birth |  Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand |
||
| Height | 1.81 m | ||
| Weight | 96 kg | ||
| Nickname | Grim | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Position | Halfback/Scrum-half | ||
| All Black No. | 885 | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| 1985-1994 1994-1997 |
Linwood ChCh HSOB |
||
| correct as of 2007-02-13. | |||
| Provincial/State sides | Caps | (points) | |
| Canterbury | - | (-) | |
| correct as of . | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| 1987-1995 | New Zealand | 31 | (18) |
| correct as of 13 February, 2007. | |||
| Other Information | |||
| Occupation | Amateur rugby union footballer | ||
| School attended | Hagley High School | ||
| Spouse | Ange Bachop | ||
| Notable relatives | Stephen Bachop (brother) Nathan Mauger (nephew) Aaron Mauger (nephew) |
||
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 eligibile 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.
[edit] All Black's 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)
