Two of rugby’s biggest names, Sonny Bill Williams and Ardie Savea, have drawn scrutiny after appearing to back a dangerous new collision sport that has left one teenager dead.
It comes after New Zealand teenager Ryan Satterthwaite died following a backyard game of the controversial and violent footy-inspired sport known as RunIt or run it straight.
Satterthwaite, 19, was playing a ‘run it straight’ game with friends when he suffered a critical head injury.
The incident occurred the day after attending a 21st birthday celebration. He was rushed to hospital by his mates but tragically passed away after life support was turned off on Monday night.
His uncle Peter Satterthwaite has now revealed his nephew was inspired by high-profile contests that have gone viral on social media.
‘They decided to give it a go because of what they saw on social media and on the news last week about it,’ Satterthwaite told Stuff.
Run it straight events have become popular in Australia and New Zealand for their big collisions (pictured)
Combatants have been able to earn prize money of up to $20,000
New Zealand teenager Ryan Satterthwaite (picgtured) died after trying the trend with friends
Manawatū Police Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed Satterthwaite was involved in a full-contact, unsanctioned tackle game when the injury happened.
His death has intensified debate over the rising popularity of the craze. The trend, which mimics high-impact collisions from professional rugby league and rugby union, has become a dangerous internet challenge.
Authorities have responded swiftly. A second RunIt event in Auckland was cancelled just one day after another was scrapped due to safety concerns.
Organiser Kimami Ngaluafe, who planned the ‘Up the Guts’ event in Glen Innes, said the Auckland Council contacted Barfoot & Thompson Stadium and shut it down.
Two previous events at Williams Park in Māngere were also cancelled after permits weren’t secured and a local board intervened.
Despite mounting concern, high-profile rugby figures have weighed in with mixed messages.
Dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams appeared to make light of the issue on social media.
He shared a throwback video from his 2004 NRL days with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Dual-code footy star Sonny Bill Williams has joked about the run it straight controversies
He posted this footage to social media, showing him charging into Penrith star Joel Clinton
The clip, titled ‘old school what a hit,’ showed Williams colliding with Penrith’s Joel Clinton.
‘Playing run it straight before it was called run it straight,’ he joked.
Meanwhile All Blacks star Ardie Savea, who won World Rugby Player of the Year in 2023, offered a more measured response.
‘First and foremost, condolences to the young brother that passed away and his family,’ Savea said.
‘I obviously don’t want anyone getting hurt and losing lives.’
However, Savea then reflected on his own childhood, saying ‘run it straight’ helped shape his toughness.
‘It’s really hard to say, but I’d just encourage people to be safe.’
Savea admitted he and his brother, former All Black Julian Savea, used to challenge each other in backyard games.
All Blacks star Ardie Savea said run it straight events helped him become the athlete he is today
Both the New Zealand Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby have been forced to distance themselves from the trend and events
Still, he expressed uncertainty over the safety measures involved in current contests.
‘I don’t know the precautions they take in terms of the head side of things,’ he said.
‘You can see both sides.’
Dr Rowena Mobbs is a neurologist who is the founder and director of the Australian CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) Biobank.
She slammed the new craze and told Daily Mail Australia that it was ‘not a sport’.
‘It is a form of harm and it should be avoided,’ she said.
‘What we have is data worldwide in terms of concussion and CTE with tackling environments.
Warriors not endorsing latest sporting trend
NZ Warriors star Chanel Harris-Tavita has promoted a run it straight event
The New Zealand Warriors have been forced to publicly distance themselves from run it straight events after current and former players endorsed them.
Warriors halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita was promoted as a guest for one event, though the club insists it has no ties to the organisation
Former Warrior and current club mentor Manu Vatuvei previously spoke about his love of the new trend.
‘I know a lot of people hate it, and a lot of people love it. I’m one of those people who love it,’ he said at the time.
A Warriors spokesman insisted the club had nothing to do with the RunIt organisation.
‘We know that a single traumatic brain injury can be devastating for an individual, leading to lifelong disability or death in some instances. This is likely to involve brain swelling or bleeding.’
Dr Mobbs said Run It Straight was even more dangerous than rugby league or Aussie Rules in terms of the brain injury risk.
‘In my opinion this is a higher risk scenario than contact sports like the football codes,’ she said.
‘That’s because participants are running at full speed towards each other with a much greater force of impact than on the footy field.
‘Parents who have children engaging in this form of harm need to be acutely aware that there could be serous consequences, even death.’
Tana Umaga, former All Black and current Moana Pasifika coach, also weighed in on the social phenomenon.
He acknowledged many of the participants are Māori and Pacific Islanders looking for an opportunity.
‘They are just trying to get ahead in life,’ he said.
Umaga said the pursuit of prize money – such as the $20,000 won by Canterbury representative Champ Betham – might be driving some of the decisions.
‘It is just about making sure that they keep themselves safe,’ he said.
New Zealand Rugby has taken a firmer stance. In a statement released this week, the organisation said: ‘We urge people not to take part in Run It Straight games or competitions as they carry significant risk of serious injury.’
The sport’s governing body encouraged anyone wanting to play contact sport to join a club or school program.
‘Learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion,’ the statement continued.
New Zealand Rugby League echoed the warning.
‘NZRL is not associated with nor encourages participation in any events or collision sports like RunIt,’ the organisation said.
The league highlighted ongoing partnerships with ACC to improve safety and reduce injury risks.
‘It’s concerning to see people putting themselves at risk of serious injury.’