BONUS: Can rugby survive its brain injury problem?

Shane Christie was one of the brightest rugby stars in New Zealand before suffering multiple concussions, leading to a brain injury that would slowly take everything from him. And his experience is far from unique. In this deeply personal account, David Walsh talks to Shane's former partner, Holly Parkes, to ask, What happened? What does Shane's story reveal about the sport he loved deeply? And can rugby survive the fallout? This is part one of a two-part special investigation into the crisis facing this global game. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times.

You can listen to BONUS: Can rugby survive its brain injury problem? online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

BONUS: Can rugby survive its brain injury problem? is an episode from The Ruck Podcast by Reynolds Alfie.

This episode is 47:28 long.

This episode was published on Apr 30, 2026.

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