Rugby Community Mourns the Loss of Shane Christie at 39

Shane Christie, a celebrated figure in New Zealand rugby, passed away suddenly at the age of 39, leaving a profound impact on the sport and those who knew him. His funeral service, held in Nelson, attracted family, friends, teammates, and former All Blacks, all gathered to honor a courageous leader and advocate for player welfare. Christie, who captained the Tasman Mako and played for the Highlanders, died last week, prompting an outpouring of tributes highlighting his contributions to rugby and his dedication to improving understanding around brain injuries in the sport.

Christie retired from professional rugby in 2017 due to severe post-concussion symptoms, a condition he had openly discussed as possibly being related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This degenerative brain disease is linked to repeated head injuries and can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously through brain tissue examination. During the service, tributes painted him as a loyal teammate who embodied the spirit of rugby.

Legacy of Leadership and Advocacy

His former teammate and current Tasman Mako captain, David Havili, described Christie as “the ultimate teammate,” noting his courage and commitment to team values. “You taught us the values of mateship, a team first mentality, and standing up for your people,” Havili said. “To this day, your fingerprints are all over everything we do at the Mako, so we say goodbye to you, Shane. Your legacy will live on forever at this club.”

Christie’s former girlfriend, Holly Parkes, shared poignant reflections on the challenges he faced due to concussion-related issues. “He described it as an electrical circuit board, misfiring, giving him shooting pains and a constant ache that never left him,” she recalled. Parkes expressed her desire to have intervened during his playing career to prevent the injuries that plagued him. “I wished I could have prevented the damage Christie suffered while playing rugby between the ages of 19 and 32,” she said, illustrating the emotional weight of watching him endure pain.

Christie’s advocacy work intensified after his retirement. Lawyer Craig Morice, who met Christie nearly a decade ago, highlighted their friendship and collaboration on addressing player welfare. In 2017, Morice urged for an appointment with a leading neurological specialist when Christie’s symptoms worsened. The specialist concluded that Christie should not return to rugby, which propelled him to learn more about concussion and its long-term effects.

A Call for Change in Rugby

Christie was instrumental in pushing for a review of concussion management within New Zealand Rugby (NZR). In 2018, he met with senior NZR officials to advocate for an independent review of the care he received during his playing career. “Shane was adamant that the terms of reference had to include this, as it had to be more than just about what happened to him,” Morice stated. The resulting 100-page report, released in April 2019, contained five recommendations regarding concussion management but has not yet been made public, despite Christie’s hopes for transparency and change.

Following the death of his teammate Billy Guyton in 2023, Christie co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation, which aims to raise awareness about preventing brain injuries in rugby. The foundation seeks to enhance the duty of care for players, a cause that resonates deeply with Christie’s experiences.

Christie’s contributions to rugby extend beyond advocacy. Born on July 23, 1985, in Palmerston North, he began his rugby journey with the Nelson Rugby Football Club and went on to earn a prominent place in the sport. His debut for the Mako in 2010 marked the beginning of a successful era, culminating in his leadership during the team’s first championship title in 2013. He played a significant role in the Highlanders’ historic 2015 Super Rugby title and later served as co-captain.

Close friend Craig Moore emphasized Christie’s passion for life, noting his dedication to various pursuits, including building, surfing, and travel. “As a friend, Shane was loyal, honest, and cared deeply,” Moore said. “He always checked in on us, even through his own battles.”

In a heartfelt tribute, Christie’s sister Katrina shared the deep grief felt by their family. She expressed her sorrow over the misinformation circulating on social media regarding his struggles. “I wished I knew when he started rugby what the possible outcome was going to be,” she said. Despite the challenges, she highlighted the joy he brought to their family and the profound love they shared.

Christie’s brain has been donated to the New Zealand Sports Human Brain Bank at the Centre for Brain Research in Auckland, aligning with his commitment to advancing research in CTE. As the rugby community mourns this loss, Christie’s legacy of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering spirit will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.