Former Māori All Black Shane Christie Dies, Sparking Head Injury Awareness
Today, I want to talk about the sudden and tragic passing of former Māori All Black Shane Christie at the age of 39. Shane’s death occurred in Nelson and is believed to have been self-inflicted. This heartbreaking event has once again drawn attention to the long-term damage that rugby, particularly repeated head injuries, can cause to players.
Shane Christie wasn’t just a rugby player—he was a passionate advocate for player safety and brain health. Throughout his career, Christie experienced multiple concussions, which ultimately led to the early end of his playing days in 2018. Before that, he had made a significant mark in New Zealand rugby: he captained Tasman to an NPC title, co-captained the Highlanders to their first Super Rugby title in 2015, and represented the Māori All Blacks eight times between 2012 and 2016. He also played 73 provincial games for the Tasman Makos. His dedication and leadership on the field earned him deep respect from teammates and fans alike.
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But beyond the accolades, Shane was deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of head injuries. He had openly discussed wanting to donate his brain after his death for medical research into Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE—a degenerative brain disease that can only be diagnosed posthumously. Symptoms of CTE include memory loss, aggression, depression, and paranoia. In New Zealand, his close friend and teammate Billy Guyton was found to have CTE after his death, making him the first professional NZ rugby player confirmed to have the disease. Stories like these underline the urgent need for the rugby community to take head injuries seriously.
Friends, former teammates, and colleagues have expressed their shock and sadness. Shane’s lawyer, Craig Morice, described being devastated and emphasized the importance of having honest conversations about how to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Former journalist Dylan Cleaver, whose reporting has highlighted the link between rugby and brain injury, also noted that Shane’s passing is a stark reminder of the mental health risks associated with repeated head knocks.
Even beyond rugby, Shane connected with others who had experienced similar injuries, including former NZSAS operator Gregg Johnson. They shared their experiences and pushed for greater accountability and care for those affected by brain trauma.
New Zealand Rugby, along with the Crusaders and Tasman rugby communities, expressed deep sadness at Shane’s passing, acknowledging his contributions both as a player and as a mentor. The loss is felt not only by his family and friends but by the wider rugby community who remember his passion, leadership, and commitment to the game.
Shane Christie’s story is tragic, yet it also serves as a crucial reminder: the conversation about head injuries in rugby—and the mental and neurological toll of the sport—cannot be ignored. His hope, expressed even before his death, was that research could lead to a safer future for the next generation of players.
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