High-Stage CTE Confirmed in Former Māori All Black Shane Christie

Pathologists confirm Shane Christie suffered from high-stage CTE, linking the brain disease to repeated head knocks during his professional rugby career.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 4:15 AM EDT

Source: RNZ

Pathological Findings and the Link to Professional Rugby

The diagnosis was delivered by Dr. Clinton Turner and supported by Dr. Michael Myskow, following a post-mortem examination of Christie’s brain, which he donated to the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. The report explicitly characterizes the CTE as "high stage," a severe form of the disease that can only be definitively diagnosed after death. Dr. Myskow’s findings noted that Christie’s history included multiple significant concussions sustained during his tenure with the Tasman Mako, Highlanders, and Māori All Blacks.

Christie is the second high-profile New Zealand professional rugby player to be diagnosed with CTE, following his close friend and teammate Billy Guyton, who died in 2023. Christie retired from the game in 2017 after suffering from debilitating post-concussion symptoms that persisted for nine years. His diagnosis serves as a biological confirmation of the symptoms he documented publicly, including fatigue, anxiety, and periods of psychosis.

New Zealand Rugby’s Precautionary Response

In response to the findings, New Zealand Rugby interim chief executive Steve Lancaster expressed condolences to Christie’s whānau while maintaining a measured stance on the causal link between rugby and CTE. Lancaster stated that NZR recognizes an "association" between repeated head impacts and the disease but emphasized the need for further research comparing athletes to those who have not played contact sports.

Despite the clinical debate, Lancaster highlighted that NZR is adopting a "precautionary approach." This includes the implementation of smart mouthguards, mandatory recovery periods, and brain health services for current players. He noted that community rugby remains significantly safer, with a concussion rate of approximately one per 700 games for children under 12. However, critics argue that these measures do not address the legacy of trauma faced by former professionals like Christie.