New Zealand teenager dies after taking part in rugby inspired clashing craze

Sydney – A teenager has died in New Zealand after taking part in a rugby-inspired craze that sees participants sprint into each other head-on with no protective gear, police said May 27.

Fuelled by social media and sometimes playing out in front of large crowds, the “run-it-straight” challenge has swept across New Zealand and Australia.

Organised run-it-straight competitions offer thousands of dollars in prize money but the trend has ignited fears of concussion and other serious injuries.

A 19-year-old died in New Zealand’s North Island after playing the game with friends over the weekend, the police said in a statement.

“The man suffered a serious head injury when tackled and was taken to hospital by friends,” said police inspector Ross Grantham.

“Tragically, he died in hospital on Monday night.

“We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks.”

Mr Grantham said the teenager had been taking part in an “impromptu game among friends”, rather than a planned event.

“The tackle game played by the group of friends was based on a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear.”

‘Horrendous’

Organised run-it-straight events have drawn interest from former professional rugby players. Former Leicester, Montpellier and Fiji winger Nemani Nadolo was a celebrity participant at one event earlier in 2025.

Experts have likened the craze to a combat sport, warning that participants face serious concussion risks.

One organised competition based in Australia described it as the “world’s fiercest, new collision sport”. It involved one runner and one tackler charging into each other from 20m apart, the competition said.

A run-it-straight event in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, was briefly halted last week when a participant started convulsing on the ground, local media reported.