Latest news with #RunitChampionship
Malay Mail
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Slammed as ‘unacceptable threat to life', brutal new rugby-inspired sport Runit finds audience in Dubai
DUBAI, June 30 — Under bright lights and cameras in Dubai, two large men charge at each other down a narrow, plastic pitch, colliding head-on with a bone-jarring thud that sends one of them sprawling. It's the start of a night of thumps, grunts and head injuries at Runit, the rugby-inspired competition that has quickly drawn a social media following and alarm from health experts. The injury-count is high: three of the 12 players are withdrawn with suspected concussion, including a sickening hit that leaves ex-National Rugby League pro Kevin Proctor writhing on the ground. The final ends when Sam 'The Ice Man' Suamili is too dazed to continue, leaving Auckland's Vulangi Olosoni, 26, to celebrate the AU$200,000 (RM548,000) first prize with his overjoyed wife and sister. Organisers have big plans for the Runit Championship League, the brainchild of seven young men from Melbourne who have evolved it from a backyard game to a marketable commodity in a matter of months. Saturday's competition, attended by just a few hundred fans, was backed by several sponsors with a live-stream featuring ex-NRL pro George Burgess, a figurehead for the sport. Its rapid rise has been controversial, however. The event was held in the United Arab Emirates after calls to ban it following trials in New Zealand, where a teenager died playing a copycat version last month. Kevin Proctor receives medical attention after a tackle during the RUNIT Championship League in Dubai on June 28, 2025. — AFP pic 'Honourable' According to Lou Sticca, a football agent and consultant promoter who brought the tournament to Dubai, the next stop is the United States. 'It's a contact sport. Americans love contact sport. This is tailor-made,' he told AFP. 'It's two gladiators. It's actually quite honourable. You've got two guys similar size, similar weight. There's a lot of technique,' he added. Runit, which bills itself as the 'world's fiercest new collision sport', is contested on a track 20 metres long and four metres wide. The athletes, typically with a rugby background and the build of a heavyweight boxer, have four runs at each other taking turns to hold a rugby ball. The winner is the man judged to 'dominate' the contest. Two doctors and three other medics were pitchside in Dubai, with two ambulances waiting outside, according to Sticca. The players, mostly New Zealanders, had medical checks including head scans before flying out and will be assessed again on their return, he said. 'We're engaging proper legal experts on concussion and as we grow the sport, we'll get experts in concussion at other sports,' Sticca said. 'We'll do whatever we can to play our part in ensuring the health and safety of our combatants.' Vulangi Olosoni celebrates after winning the final of the RUNIT Championship League in Dubai on June 28, 2025. — AFP pic 'Unacceptable threat to life' However, not everyone is convinced. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called Runit a 'dumb thing to do', while the New Zealand Medical Journal said it was 'engineered for injury'. 'It is a ritualised, high-risk physical collision that poses an unacceptable threat to life and wellbeing,' an editorial said this week. 'As trauma clinicians, we warn unequivocally: Run It Straight is a mechanism for significant acute and long-term injury,' the journal added. Concerns over concussion have prompted new measures in several sports including the rugby codes as scores of retired players report serious health problems. Tania Mayne, a Dubai-based neurophysiotherapist who specialises in concussion, said the science was clear on impacts to the head. 'World Rugby has been so outspoken about how a contact should take place in a match,' she told AFP, referring to rugby union's governing body. 'This goes against everything out there.' Mayne added: 'I would just encourage people not to get involved and read what's out there. There's so much information about concussion in sport.' Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive disease caused by repeated blows to the head, is known to trigger violent moods, dementia and depression. Injuries from head knocks have also been linked to disorders such as motor neurone disease, early onset dementia, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. However, Sticca said Runit was being unfairly singled out. 'Any contact sport has got the same issues. It's just that we're only hearing about this because it suits the agenda,' he said. 'We don't care about the critics, we care about the combatants. We care about making Runit a bigger, better sport. Simple as that.' — AFP
Economic Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Economic Times
NSW Cup round 16: Dragons defeat Wests Magpies 38-18 in Collegians clash
Wests Magpies narrow deficit but fall to Dragons in NSW Cup round 16 Live Events Dragons secure NSW Cup victory with late tries and defensive pressure (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Wests Magpies fell to a 38-18 defeat against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in Round 16 of the NSW Cup at Collegians Sporting Complex. After trailing 20-6 at halftime, the Magpies reduced the gap to two points midway through the second half but were ultimately unable to overcome the Dragons took early control of the match with tries from outside backs Sione Finau, Tyrell Sloan, and Nathan Lawson, establishing a 16-0 lead in the opening 16 minutes. Cody Ramsey delivered a highlight moment with a flick pass setting up Sloan for his second try of the read: New Zealand coroner warns against dangerous Rugby-inspired 'Runit Championship' following player death Tristan Hope got the Magpies on the board before halftime with a quick tap-and-go from close range, narrowing the score to 20-6 by the Magpies came out strong in the second half. Izaac Tu'itupou crossed in the corner, and Kurt Falls converted to cut the lead to 20-12. Minutes later, Hope set up Tony Sukkar for another try, with Falls adding the extras to bring the score to the comeback effort, Wests Magpies lost momentum after an error off the ensuing kickoff. That mistake allowed Connor Muhleisen to cross the line for the Dragons, extending the lead to 26-18. Emre Guler then powered through the defense to score, pushing the margin further out of Lawson sealed the result with his second try of the game, and Jonah Glover's successful conversion finalized the 38-18 the Dragons, Sloan and Lawson each finished with two tries. Finau, Muhleisen, and Guler also contributed to the scoring. Glover converted five of seven attempts. The Magpies' tries came from Hope, Tu'itupou, and Sukkar, all converted by win solidifies the Dragons' position in the NSW Cup standings, while the Wests Magpies will look to regroup ahead of the next round.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NSW Cup round 16: Dragons defeat Wests Magpies 38-18 in Collegians clash
Wests Magpies narrow deficit but fall to Dragons in NSW Cup round 16 The Wests Magpies fell to a 38-18 defeat against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in Round 16 of the NSW Cup at Collegians Sporting Complex. After trailing 20-6 at halftime, the Magpies reduced the gap to two points midway through the second half but were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit. The Dragons took early control of the match with tries from outside backs Sione Finau, Tyrell Sloan, and Nathan Lawson, establishing a 16-0 lead in the opening 16 minutes. Cody Ramsey delivered a highlight moment with a flick pass setting up Sloan for his second try of the afternoon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Also read: New Zealand coroner warns against dangerous Rugby-inspired 'Runit Championship' following player death Tristan Hope got the Magpies on the board before halftime with a quick tap-and-go from close range, narrowing the score to 20-6 by the break. Live Events The Magpies came out strong in the second half. Izaac Tu'itupou crossed in the corner, and Kurt Falls converted to cut the lead to 20-12. Minutes later, Hope set up Tony Sukkar for another try, with Falls adding the extras to bring the score to 20-18. Dragons secure NSW Cup victory with late tries and defensive pressure Despite the comeback effort, Wests Magpies lost momentum after an error off the ensuing kickoff. That mistake allowed Connor Muhleisen to cross the line for the Dragons, extending the lead to 26-18. Emre Guler then powered through the defense to score, pushing the margin further out of reach. Nathan Lawson sealed the result with his second try of the game, and Jonah Glover's successful conversion finalized the 38-18 scoreline. For the Dragons, Sloan and Lawson each finished with two tries. Finau, Muhleisen, and Guler also contributed to the scoring. Glover converted five of seven attempts. The Magpies' tries came from Hope, Tu'itupou, and Sukkar, all converted by Falls. The Wests Magpies were defeated 38-18 by the St. George Illawarra Dragons in Round 16 of the NSW Cup at Collegians Sporting Complex. Despite narrowing the deficit to two points in the second half, late errors and strong finishes from the Dragons sealed the win. Sloan and Lawson scored two tries each NSW Cup round 16: Dragons defeat Wests Magpies 38-18 in Collegians clash The win solidifies the Dragons' position in the NSW Cup standings, while the Wests Magpies will look to regroup ahead of the next round.
Economic Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Economic Times
NRL match preview: Warriors host Panthers in first Auckland clash since 2019
NRL round 16 preview: Warriors vs Panthers returns to Go Media Stadium Live Events Complete team lists: Warriors and Panthers finalize squads for key matchup Stat Highlights and Match Officials (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel For the first time since 2019, the Penrith Panthers will play at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, where they will face the One New Zealand Warriors in Round 16 of the NRL. The Panthers secured a narrow 19-18 golden point win during their last visit to the venue, courtesy of then-halfback James players who featured in that 2019 fixture have since retired, moved clubs, or transferred overseas. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains the only current Warrior from that match. James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan were then with Penrith, while Isaiah Papali'i, now with the Panthers, played in the Warriors' back read: New Zealand coroner warns against dangerous Rugby-inspired 'Runit Championship' following player death The Warriors enter this match third on the ladder, having won seven of their last eight games. Penrith, after a poor 1-5 start, have climbed to ninth with three wins and a draw in their last five matches. The match is a sellout, contrasting the 12,952 attendance in starting line-upBacks:1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak3. Adam Pompey4. Moala Graham-TaufaAlso read: Dylan Walker released by One New Zealand Warriors, joins Australia's Parramatta Eels 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck6. Chanel Harris-Tavita7. Luke MetcalfForwards:8. James Fisher-Harris9. Wayde Egan10. Marata Niukore11. Leka Halasima12. Jacob Laban13. Erin ClarkInterchange:14. Te Maire Martin15. Jackson Ford16. Demitric Vaimauga17. Tanner Stowers-SmithReserves:18. Samuel Healey22. Edward KosiIns: Edward Kosi, Moala Graham-Taufa, Wayde EganOuts: Kurt Capewell, Taine TuaupikiPanthers Starting Line-UpBacks:1. Daine Laurie2. Thomas Jenkins3. Izack Tago4. Casey McLean5. Paul Alamoti6. Blaize Talagi7. Brad SchneiderForwards:8. Moses Leota9. Mitch Kenny10. Lindsay Smith11. Scott Sorensen12. Isaiah Papali'i13. Matthew EisenhuthInterchange:14. Trent Toelau15. Liam Henry16. Luron Patea17. Luke GarnerReserves:18. Luke Sommerton19. Jack ColeIns: Daine Laurie, Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Matthew Eisenhuth, Paul Alamoti, Trent ToelauOuts: Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Nathan Cleary1. The Warriors aim for consecutive wins over Penrith for the first time since 2012.2. The Panthers have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Warriors.3. The Warriors are 4-1 at home this season.4. Brian To'o has scored seven tries in his last six matches against the Warriors.5. Te Maire Martin will mark his 100th NRL Officials:1. Referee: Todd Smith2. Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe3. Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NRL match preview: Warriors host Panthers in first Auckland clash since 2019
NRL round 16 preview: Warriors vs Panthers returns to Go Media Stadium For the first time since 2019, the Penrith Panthers will play at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, where they will face the One New Zealand Warriors in Round 16 of the NRL. The Panthers secured a narrow 19-18 golden point win during their last visit to the venue, courtesy of then-halfback James Maloney. Several players who featured in that 2019 fixture have since retired, moved clubs, or transferred overseas. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains the only current Warrior from that match. James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan were then with Penrith, while Isaiah Papali'i, now with the Panthers, played in the Warriors' back row. Also read: New Zealand coroner warns against dangerous Rugby-inspired 'Runit Championship' following player death The Warriors enter this match third on the ladder, having won seven of their last eight games. Penrith, after a poor 1-5 start, have climbed to ninth with three wins and a draw in their last five matches. The match is a sellout, contrasting the 12,952 attendance in 2019. Live Events Complete team lists: Warriors and Panthers finalize squads for key matchup Warriors starting line-up Backs: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Moala Graham-Taufa Also read: Dylan Walker released by One New Zealand Warriors, joins Australia's Parramatta Eels 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf Forwards: 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Samuel Healey 22. Edward Kosi Ins: Edward Kosi, Moala Graham-Taufa, Wayde Egan Outs: Kurt Capewell, Taine Tuaupiki Panthers Starting Line-Up Backs: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider Forwards: 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Matthew Eisenhuth Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Luke Garner Reserves: 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Jack Cole Ins: Daine Laurie, Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Matthew Eisenhuth, Paul Alamoti, Trent Toelau Outs: Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Nathan Cleary Stat Highlights and Match Officials 1. The Warriors aim for consecutive wins over Penrith for the first time since 2012. 2. The Panthers have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Warriors. 3. The Warriors are 4-1 at home this season. 4. Brian To'o has scored seven tries in his last six matches against the Warriors. 5. Te Maire Martin will mark his 100th NRL appearance. Match Officials: 1. Referee: Todd Smith 2. Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe NRL match preview : Warriors host Panthers in first Auckland clash since 2019 The Penrith Panthers return to Go Media Stadium to face the One New Zealand Warriors for the first time in Auckland since 2019. The Warriors aim to secure a top-three spot, while the Panthers continue their late-season recovery. Full team line-ups, player changes, and match official details below 3. Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
