Anti-vaxxer and former Maori All Blacks star Shane Christie has been slammed after publicly challenging the grieving widow of New Zealand politician Efeso Collins following his sudden death last year.

Christie, 39, who represented the Crusaders and Highlanders at Super Rugby level, is adamant Collins died from a reaction to a Covid-19 vaccine.

He questioned Vasa Fia Collins after she attended a case management conference this week in Auckland, as she searches for answers surrounding her husband’s death in February of 2024 aged just 49.

Tragically, Collins collapsed after taking part in a charity fun run and died at the scene after he was unable to be revived.

Outside the Coroners Court in Auckland, Collins fielded a series of questions from waiting media – and Christie spoke up.

‘I just want to ask you, respectfully, was there any word in the court hearing about the potential of the vaccine causing your husband’s passing, the Covid-19 vaccination?’,’ he asked.

Collins, who was clearly uncomfortable with the question, politely told Christie it was not discussed. 

The one-time footy star – who retired in 2018 due to severe post-concussion symptoms – then responded with misinformation about vaccine injuries.

Anti-vaxxer and former Maori All Blacks star Shane Christie has been publicly slammed after challenging the grieving widow of New Zealand politician Efeso Collins outside the Coroners Court in Auckland

Christie, 39, who represented the Crusaders and Highlanders at Super Rugby level, is adamant Collins died after having a Covid-19 vaccine (pictured, playing for the Maori All Blacks)

Christie (pictured left, in cap) questioned Vasa Fia Collins after she attended a case management conference, as she searches for answers about her husband’s death last year 

As tension began to mount, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, who was standing behind Collins supporting her, interrupted Christie’s line of questioning.

‘I don’t think these are appropriate questions for today,’ she said.

Davidson then added: ‘it is really unfortunate you chose to do this on a painful day’ before Collins and her supporters left the venue.

Christie clearly wasn’t worried about upsetting Collins – he later shared the vision on his own Instagram page, with an accompanying message. 

‘We’ve watched journalist (sic) try and destroy professional rugby players for years now. When they slip up, or step out of line,’ he posted.

‘They bag you out publicly to control you, to keep you in fear of being unique and free. 

‘We all know, the mainstream media has been broken for years ! Controlled by the government, to control you. Lets change it.’

Christie –  a noted supporter of US President Donald Trump – previously told his followers the New Zealand economy is ‘buggered’ due to vested interests of politicians and that doctors need to be explain why ‘thousands of people have been affected by the Covid-19 vaccine.’