All Blacks winger George Bridge leaves the Crusaders

The Crusaders and Canterbury have confirmed the departure of All Blacks winger George Bridge.

Bridge, 27, has fell out of favour with the Crusaders and All Blacks this year and following the news that Sevu Reece has re-signed with the Crusaders and All Blacks, he has confirmed his departure.

He will join TOP 14 champions Montpellier following the conclusion of the Bunnings NPC season. 

Bridge moved to Canterbury as a teenager and joined the Crusaders academy soon after. He was Canterbury’s Under 19 player of the year in 2014, played for the NZ Under 20 team in 2015, and was selected for the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup in 2016 where he scored five tries in eight matches.

 
He got his Crusaders contract in 2017 and between then and now racked up 67 caps for the team. Notable appearances in the red and black include a hat trick of tries at home against the Stormers in April 2017 contributing to a 57-21 win, and the same feat a week later in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs. 

 
He was a top try scorer in the 2018 Super Rugby season and made the starting pack in the team’s win over the Lions in the finals. He made his All Blacks debut later that year against Japan and scored two second half tries – one off his first touch of the ball. 

By 2019 he was a regular All Blacks starter, his season including a four-try blitz against Tonga (the boys won that one 92-7). He was named in the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad and played four tests in the tournament – a starter in all. 

The 27-year-old earned 19 caps between 2018 and 2021 for the All Blacks. Bridge last played for the All Blacks in last November’s 40-25 test defeat to France in Paris, but failed to make Ian Foster’s squads this season after losing his starting place at the Crusaders.

He won six Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders since his debut in 2017 and has scored 35 tries in 67 games.

Scott Robertson, Crusaders Head Coach, said Bridge would be missed.

“George is a man and player who epitomises what it is to be a Crusader,” Robertson said.

“He’s a hard worker, he’s tough, and he’s a winner. Bridgey is such a good honest man and we can all call him a great mate.

“All the best to you and Evie on your sojourn.”

Bridge follows All Blacks prop Karl Tu'inukuafe in signing for the club while Sam Simmonds has signed for the side ahead of next season.