Jackson Garden-Bachop pens new deal with Hurricanes

Hurricanes have confirmed that Jackson Garden-Bachop has penned a new deal with the Super Rugby club at least until the end of the 2021 season.

The 25-year-old started his professional rugby club career with provincial side Wellington during the 2013 ITM Cup but was unable to find a breakthrough in the Super Rugby until he joined Melbourne Rebels in 2017. He returned back to New Zealand in 2018 where he made his debut for Hurricanes and since then has gone on to play 17 games.

He also represented New Zealand at schoolboy level in 2012 and under-20 level in 2014 and was named in the Maori All Blacks squad for their tour of France and Canada in 2017.

“Being a Hurricane is something I always dreamed of,” he told the official website of the club. “To be able to do it in the same jersey that dad wore is massively special and something I take huge pride in.

“There is no substitute for experience at first-five, so getting consistent opportunity from Alfie [Jason Holland] and the other coaches has let me grow into a more confident game driver.

“Also, the senior boys around me helped a lot and there were times when I had to lean on them, but other times when they showed a lot of trust in what I’ve been doing.”

Hurricanes finished the Super Rugby Aotearoa in the third position with five wins from eight games.