George Bell (born 29 January 2002) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for Crusaders.[1][2]
He made his test match debut for the New Zealand national rugby union team in July 2024.
George grew up on his family farm, Shag Valley Station, in East Otago. George Bell first played for the Eastern Rugby Football Club in Waikouaiti.[3]
Having been an boarder in the John McGlashan College, Bell later joined the Lincoln University as he made it to the Crusaders academy.[3]
While still yet to play provincial rugby,[4] George Bell was awarded his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders on the 7 May 2022,[5] scoring a try on debut during this 53-13 win against Western Force in Perth.[4][6]
George Bell is an under-20 international with New Zealand, having played 4 friendly games with the Baby blacks in 2021, against Wellington, Tasman, the Cook Islands and a Harlequins XV, as international junior competitions were halted by covid.[3]Bell made his debut for the All Blacks off the bench against Fiji on 20 July 2024, scoring a try.
On 20 July 2024 Bell made his All Blacks debut as a replacement in the test match against Fiji played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.[7] During his debut test match he scored a try in the 77th minute.