Former All Black Carl Hayman mourns Shane Christie, says 'part of me died'
Hayman, a former world-leading rugby figure now living on a Taranaki farm, spoke of grief after the sudden death of teammate Shane Christie, reported to have taken his own life.
Carl Hayman, the former All Black and one-time highest-paid player in world rugby, said a "part of me died" after learning of the death of Shane Christie, a former New Zealand rugby player and friend.
Christie died at the end of August, just a day short of his 40th birthday. Friends of Christie have indicated he took his own life after a period of personal struggle. Hayman, 45, spoke from his family farm in Opunake in New Zealand’s Taranaki region, where he has spent the past year moving away from the professional game and into rural life.
"I've been in the country for the past 12 months, enjoying farm life. I'm currently rearing calves — Friesian and Angus bulls," Hayman said. Speaking in the early morning from the southern hemisphere, when it was about 5:30 a.m., he described a quieter routine that contrasts with his years in elite sport. "This is the best time of day — when the sun comes up over Mount Taranaki and before my phone starts ringing. I enjoy the small things in life a lot more now. It's just sad we're talking in these circumstances."
Hayman, who made his name as a dominant front-row forward and earned widespread acclaim and lucrative contracts during his professional career, has maintained close ties with former teammates and figures in New Zealand rugby. He said the news of Christie’s death affected him deeply and paid tribute to the man and the wider circle of friends lost to the rugby community.
Christie's passing prompted expressions of grief across New Zealand rugby, where former players, coaches and supporters have reflected on his life and career. Friend and teammate accounts provided early reports that Christie had been struggling privately in the period before his death.
Hayman's move back to Opunake reflects a broader post-career transition followed by many former professional athletes. He described finding solace in daily farm work and the rhythms of rural life while still responding to the emotional impact of losing a close friend.
New Zealand rugby authorities and advocacy groups have in recent years increased attention on mental health and player welfare, acknowledging the pressures athletes can face during and after their careers. Christie’s death is the latest to renew conversations about support for current and former players.
Hayman said he would continue to tend to the farm and to remember his friend. "Part of me died when I heard about Shane Christie's suicide," he said, underscoring the personal toll of the loss on those who knew Christie through rugby and life off the field.