Captain and 'figurehead' Tom Christie commits future to Red Bulls

Newcastle Red Bulls captain Tom Christie has pledged his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract extension.

The three-time Super Rugby winner has scored six tries in 24 games since arriving a year ago, and will now remain on Tyneside until at least the end of the 2028-29 season.

“We’re at the start of a really exciting journey here,” said Christie, the 28-year-old openside who captained Canterbury to the 2026 National Provincial Championship title.

Making 19 appearances in his first campaign with the Red Bulls and taking over the captaincy this season, the former Crusader insisted: “There’s no limit as to what can be achieved at this club.

“The team are working towards some big goals, and Newcastle already feels like a home from home for my fiancée Sophie and I.

“It’s a tremendous city and the fans make it a special place to be, so it was an absolute no-brainer in terms of wanting to extend our stay.”

Newcastle head coach Dan McFarland was equally delighted to have retained the services of his skipper, saying: “Tom’s leadership and professionalism are having a huge influence on our other players, and it’s fantastic to get this extension locked in.

“He has an incredibly high level of involvements in our games and his effort level is unsurpassed.

“His ability in defence and at the breakdown is well known throughout the sport, and in addition to that he is bringing a real attacking edge to his game.

“That energy and physicality is infectious, and both he and Sophie seem to have developed a genuine affinity for North East England during the relatively short time they have been here.

“In a period of so much change at the club it is great to have that core around which we can build, and in Tom we have someone who will be a real figurehead for many years to come.”