DoB: 19th Sept 1995
Birthplace: Napier, New Zealand
Positions: Centre
Honours: Otago 7s, New Zealand Universities

It was announced in June 2019 that centre Shae had signed a two-year contract with the Cornish Pirates.

Growing up in Napier, Shae played junior rugby from an early age for the Taradale rugby club. He represented Hawkes Bay at all age grades in his youth besides playing three years for the successful Napier Boys’ High School 1st XV, a period during which he also, in 2013, played for Hurricanes Secondary Schools. Selected in the same year for New Zealand Secondary Schools’ wider squad, injury just before the final selection unluckily ruled him out.

Post school, Shae headed south to study at Otago University, where he made 50 appearances for their team. He was also honoured to represent the Otago Sevens team (2015/16), New Zealand Universities (2016), North Otago (2016 – in the NZ Heartland Championship), North Harbour (2017 – in the Mitre 10 Cup), and Hawkes Bay Magpies (2018 – in the Mitre 10 Cup).

Completing university, and having graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and with a minor in Classical History, at the time of his arrival in England, Shae was looking forward to returning to his roots. His father was born in London and his grandparents still live in Billericay, Essex, whilst he also has an uncle and aunt and several cousins who live here.

Injury frustrated Shae during his first year with the Cornish Pirates, restricting him to making just nine appearances for the club. However, returning to fitness, and after a spell on loan at Redruth, he really took his chances to impress – as he did again during 2020/21 when taking his games tally to 17.