Rebel returns home to New Zealand
The 23-year-old joins the 2017 Super Rugby finalists following a debut season of Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels.
Garden-Bachop said he was excited to have the opportunity to continue his career with his home club the Hurricanes.
"I’m really happy to be settled in my hometown and able to play my provincial and Super Rugby in one place and in my hometown and close to my family," he said.
"Growing up in Wellington I always dreamed of playing for the Hurricanes, so I’m pretty happy to get this opportunity. The Hurricanes have some world class players, especially in my position and I’m looking forward to learning off, and working alongside players like Beauden Barrett,"
He will join the Hurricanes off the back of an excellent season with the Wellington Lions that saw him named as the team’s player of the year.
Hurricanes backs coach Jason Holland said Garden-Bachop had impressed with his consistency over the past year.
"He has shown a real maturity in his game in terms of both consistency and game management, which has been excellent. He’s pulled the strings really well for the Lions this season and we are looking forward to what Jackson will bring to the Hurricanes.”
Garden-Bachop has appeared in each of Wellington’s 10 matches during the 2017 National Champions Cup including nine starts, and scored 109 points heading into the semi-finals.
He made his debut for the Lions in 2013 after leaving Scots College and joining the Northern United club and has grown into one of the senior leaders of the squad with 39 caps to his name.
The son of former Manu Samoa and All Blacks star Stephen Bachop, he made the move across the Tasman last year to gain Super Rugby experience with the Melbourne Rebels.
"My year at the Rebels really helped me develop and grow as a player and I think I’ve built on that confidence with Wellington this season," he said.
Garden-Bachop’s talent was identified by the Hurricanes as far back as 2012 when he was a member of the New Zealand Schools team and he has represented the club at school and development level.
