New Zealander suffered multiple concussions
Police called to his Nelson home on Wednesday morning
Shane Christie, the former Māori All Blacks player who had wanted his brain to be studied after suffering from the effects of multiple concussions, has died aged 39.
The New Zealand rugby player had campaigned for greater awareness in rugby of the impact of repeated blows to the head. After retiring from the game in 2017, Christie reportedly suffered from headaches, memory lapses, speech problems, depression and mood swings consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Christie, who also played for Otago Highlanders, Canterbury Crusaders and the All Blacks sevens team, was found dead at his home in Nelson on Wednesday morning after police were called to the address. “The death will be referred to the coroner and we have no further information or comment we can provide,” said police.
