New Zealand Teen Dies After Participating in Viral ‘Run It Straight’ Tackle Game

A 19-year-old New Zealand man has died from a serious head injury sustained during a viral tackle game known as “run it straight,” police confirmed on Tuesday.

Identified in local media as Ryan Satterthwaite, the teen passed away in hospital on Monday after taking part in the high-impact challenge with friends in Palmerston North.

The game, popular on social media, involves two players charging at each other full-speed—one carrying a ball, the other attempting a tackle—without any protective gear, mimicking rugby collisions.

Police spokesperson Ross Grantham called the incident a tragic reminder of the dangers involved. “While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity,” he said.

Though the incident is not being treated as a police matter, authorities are conducting inquiries on behalf of the coroner.

“Run it straight” has seen a surge in popularity across New Zealand and Australia, fueled by online challenges and even professional rugby players. Videos circulating on social media show young participants being knocked unconscious or sustaining injuries during matches.

Organized events such as the Runit Championship League—launched in Auckland this month—have drawn crowds of over 1,000 spectators. Participants compete for cash prizes, with some suffering visible injuries, including one case where a player appeared to have a seizure after a hit.

Kimami Ngaluafe, organiser of another event called Up the Guts NZ, acknowledged the game’s cultural presence but emphasized the need for safety. “Kids are playing this kind of game every day. They deserve to be guided properly and shown how to do it the right way,” he said, advocating for the use of protective headgear and trained spotters.

Satterthwaite’s death has reignited calls for better regulation and safety measures around the growing “collision sport” trend.