New Zealand Coroner Warns Against Perilous Runit Collision Sport in Australia, New Zealand

A New Zealand coroner, Bruce Hesketh, has condemned the emerging rugby-inspired sport 'Runit' as perilous due to its lack of regulation and safety measures, particularly concerning head injuries. The sport involves competitors sprinting 20 meters apart and colliding at full speed without protective gear, with the winner being the one who 'dominates the collision.' The Australian-based Runit Championship League, which launched in New Zealand this year, offers substantial cash prizes but has no governing body, publicly accessible rules, or concussion management protocols. The coroner expressed concern following the death of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite, who sustained a fatal head injury during an unsanctioned Runit event, and highlighted that Runit's direct collisions oppose the safety-focused goals of traditional rugby. Despite incidents where participants were knocked out or suffered seizures amid cheering crowds, the league moved its June final from Auckland to Dubai amid calls for a ban in New Zealand. Authorities and Hesketh warn that the sport should not be recognized officially given its inherent dangers and lack of player protections.