Shane Christie. Photo: Jayne Russell / Photosport
Former Highlanders flanker and Tasman NPC captain Shane Christie had died aged 39.
The Tasman Rugby Union confirmed his death on Wednesday.
Tasman Rugby chief executive officer Steve Mitchell said: "I'm shocked and really sad. My concerns are for his family. I'm gutted."
New Zealand Rugby said in a statement that it was with "deep sadness" that they acknowledged Christie's passing.
"He was passionate about coaching, holding coaching roles with Tasman, for both their women's and men's teams, and the Highlanders.
"Any time the rugby community loses a member it is felt deeply. Shane's passion for the game will be remembered always. Our thoughts are with Shane's whānau, friends, former teammates, and community at this incredibly difficult time."
Christie played 29 matches for the Highlanders between 2014-2016 and was part of their Super Rugby winning side of 2015, although he spent the majority of that campaign sidelined with injury.
Highlanders flanker Shane Christie. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He also played 73 times for Tasman over seven seasons, before retiring due to concussion-related symptoms.
He skippered Tasman to their first NPC title in 2013.
Christie represented the All Blacks Sevens twice during the 2010-11 IRB Sevens World Series and played eight times for the Māori All Blacks.
He told the NZ Herald in 2024 that he wanted to donate his brain to the New Zealand Sports Human brain bank for study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), "to help the research in New Zealand because we have only had a few brains that have a long history of concussion problems".
Police have confirmed they attended a sudden death in Nelson on Wednesday, which they were advised of at 8.20am.
"The death will be referred to the Coroner and we have no further information or comment we can provide."
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