27 Aug 2025
Former Highlanders flanker dies aged 39
Former Highlanders flanker and Tasman NPC captain Shane Christie has died aged 39. He spent three seasons with the Super Rugby side and also played 73 times for Tasman over seven seasons, before retiring due to concussion-related symptoms. Last year he told media he wanted to donate his brain to the New Zealand Sports Human brain bank for study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Sports reporter, Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.