George Bridge to join French club Montpellier

• George Bridge is set to join French club Montepellier after completing the NPC season with Canterbury. 
• The 27-year-old told Montpellier’s website that he is delighted to sign with the club and is looking forward to bringing his experience to the team. 

Former All Blacks George Bridge has decided to finish his international career by joining French side Montpellier. 

The Crusaders announced that George Bridge played his final game in the red and black jersey and will soon take up a contract with Montpellier. 

George Bridge, who made his Crusaders debut in 2017, has decided to forgo the chance of playing in the 2023 Rugby World Cup by signing for the European club.

George Bridge transfer to Montpellier. Photo/ Sud Ouest.

Scott Robertson, Crusaders head coach, praised George Bridge, saying he is a man and player who epitomises what it means to be a Crusader. 

According to Scott Robertson, George Bridge is a hard worker and a tough guy who always wants to win.

While wishing good luck to George, Scott said that the 27-year-old is an honest man who the team will miss. 

George Bridge will remain with Canterbury until the end of their NPC season before heading to Europe and joining up with the Top 14 outfit. 

Montpellier has already confirmed that George Bridge signed a three-year deal to keep him at the club until 2025. 

According to Montpellier club manager Philippe Saint-Andre, the arrival of George Bridge will play a significant role in compensating for Arthur Vincent’s injury. 

Philippe Saint-Andre is looking forward to welcoming the 27-year-old to his team. 

On the other hand, George Bridge said he is delighted to bring his test experience to Montpellier. While speaking on the club’s website, Bridge praised the European team’s recent success and prestige. 

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

George Bridge’s Career

George Bridge joined Canterbury from Gisborne as a teenager before securing a move to the Crusaders academy. 

Young George excelled with the Canterbury’s Under 19 team in 2014, winning the player of the year for the academy that year. 

George Bridge got the chance to represent the New Zealand Under 20 team in 2015 and performed really well.

Due to his performance, he was selected for the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup squad in 2016. George ended up scoring five tries in eight matches at the tournament. 

Since making his official debut for the Crusaders in 2017, the New Zealand rugby union player has managed 67 caps. 

George Bridge was a top scorer in the 2018 Super Rugby season. He was a regular starter for the All Blacks in 2019 and was named in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

George Bridge. Photo/ Sky Sports.

George Bridge has scored ten tries in the last three seasons with the Crusaders. 

Bridge has gradually dropped down the pecking order and was left out of Ian Foster’s squad for the upcoming northern hemisphere tour. 

George Bridge has been part of six Super Rugby title-winning seasons with the Crusaders and has scored 36 tries in 67 matches.