Rugby Community Mourns Loss of Shane Christie at 39

Former rugby player Shane Christie was remembered during a heartfelt funeral service in Nelson, following his sudden death at the age of 39. Christie, a former flanker for the Tasman Mako and Highlanders, passed away last week, leaving behind a legacy as a courageous leader and advocate for rugby player welfare.

Christie had retired from professional rugby in 2017 due to severe post-concussion symptoms. In the years since, he became an outspoken advocate for better understanding and prevention of brain injuries within the sport. He had publicly expressed concerns that he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with repeated head trauma, which can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously.

The Trafalgar Centre was filled with family, friends, ex-teammates, and former All Blacks who gathered to pay their respects. Tasman Mako captain David Havili praised Christie as the ultimate teammate and a fierce leader. “You taught us the values of mateship, a team-first mentality and standing up for your people,” he said. “Your legacy will live on forever at this club.”

Impact of Concussions and Advocacy for Change

Christie’s former girlfriend, Holly Parkes, who remained a close friend until his death, recounted his long battle with the symptoms of repeated concussions. “He described it as an electrical circuit board, misfiring, giving him shooting pains and a constant ache that never left him,” she shared. Parkes expressed regret about the damage he suffered during his playing career, wishing she could have intervened to protect him.

Nelson lawyer Craig Morice, who met Christie nearly a decade ago during his end-of-career negotiations with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), highlighted Christie’s growing concern for player welfare. Morice recalled how, in 2017, he pushed for an urgent appointment with a neurological specialist in Melbourne due to Christie’s worsening condition. “That specialist concluded that Shane should not return to play rugby again,” he said. Following this diagnosis, Christie dedicated himself to understanding concussions and their long-term effects.

In 2018, Christie and Morice met with senior NZR officials and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association to discuss improvements in concussion management. They agreed to an independent review of Christie’s concussion injuries. A detailed report, released in April 2019, included five recommendations regarding player safety, but despite Christie’s hopes, it has not been made public.

A Lasting Legacy in Rugby and Beyond

Christie co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation to raise awareness about brain injuries in rugby, especially after the death of his former teammate Billy Guyton in 2023. Guyton was the first professional rugby player in New Zealand diagnosed with CTE in 2024.

Born on July 23, 1985, in Palmerston North, Christie spent his early years in Canvastown before moving to Wellington. He made his debut for the Mako in 2010 and later captained the team to its first championship title in 2013. His contributions to rugby extended beyond the Mako; he also played for the Crusaders and Highlanders, helping secure the historic 2015 Super Rugby title. His career included 73 games with the Mako, and he represented both the All Blacks Sevens and the Māori All Blacks.

Close friend Craig Moore reflected on Christie’s passion for life, noting that he approached every endeavor with dedication, whether in rugby, building, or seeking adventure through activities like surfing and skydiving.

Christie’s sister, Katrina, described his death as one of the darkest moments for their family. She emphasized the joy he brought to their lives and expressed a desire for greater awareness of the risks associated with rugby. “Though our grief is deep, so too is our gratitude for the time we had with you,” she said.

In accordance with his wishes, Christie’s brain has been donated to the New Zealand Sports Human Brain Bank at the Centre for Brain Research in Auckland. His contributions to understanding and preventing brain injuries in rugby will continue to impact future generations of players.