TOM CHRISTIE

The Kiwi back-row tells RW why he jumped at the chance to join Newcastle's Red Bull revolution

- Words NEIL SQUIRES

TOM CHRISTIE left a lot behind when he crossed the globe to join the Newcastle Red Bulls revolution. The move meant saying goodbye to the Crusaders, Super Rugby champions for three of the past four seasons.

It also spelled a farewell to the Canterbury side he led to the NPC title in his final game for the team after an eight-year stint.

But there was another New Zealand rugby environment he was going to miss big time too. The Tri Rugby setup that his elder brother Josh revels being a part of was one Tom cherished almost as much as his own. Tri Rugby is a full-contact version of the game for players with intellectual or physical disabilities.

“My brother has autism,” explains Christie. “Everyone who knows someone with autism, or something along those lines, knows how people with it latch on to one thing and are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about it. For my brother, and a lot of other people involved in Tri Rugby, that is rugby.

“Rugby is such a special game and people that play it know what it gives. Tri Rugby gives kids and adults that are disabled the opportunity to play rugby and enjoy it with mates.

“They do it really well in Christchurch through the Christchurch High School Old Boys club. They were lucky enough to have a team come from Australia, from Perth, and play what were kind of a couple of Test matches in September, which was really cool.