Confirmed: Former All Black George Bridge is heading to Europe

The Crusaders have announced that former All Blacks George Bridge has played his final game in the red and black jersey and will soon take up a contract with French club Montpellier.

Bridge moved to Canterbury from Gisborne 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 New Zealand Under 20 team in 2015, and was selected for the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup squad in 2016 where he scored five tries in eight matches.

Bridge made his Crusaders debut in 2017 and has since racked up 67 caps for the team. Notable appearances in the jersey included a hat trick of tries at home against the Stormers in April 2017 to contribute to a 57-21 win, and then achieving the same feat a week later in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs.

The 27-year-old was a top try scorer in the 2018 Super Rugby season and made the starting line-up in the team’s win over the Lions in the grand final. 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, Bridge was a regular All Blacks starter, his season including a four-try blitz against Tonga (with the All Blacks winning 92-7). He was named in the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad and played four tests in the tournament – a starter in all.

Bridge scored 10 tries across his last three seasons with the Crusaders, and continued to be a stalwart of the team and an inspiration for younger players coming through the Academy.

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. 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."

Montpellier confirmed that Bridge had signed a three-year deal with the club which will keep him in France until 2025.

"We are very proud to welcome George among us," said club manager Philippe Saint-Andre. "His arrival will allow us to compensate for Arthur Vincent's injury. He will put his experience to the benefit of the collective and we look forward to welcoming him among us."

"I am delighted to sign with a club with the recent success and prestige of Montpellier," said Bridge. "I look forward to bringing to the club the experience I was able to gain with the Crusaders and the All Blacks."

Bridge will link up with Montpellier following the completion of Canterbury's NPC season, with the NZ powerhouses taking on Bay of Plenty in this Saturday's semi-final.