Latest news with #SonnyBillWilliams
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as All Blacks star apologises for video after teenager's death and missing player found
Tonight's rugby news as All Blacks star apologises for video after teenager's death and missing player found The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Williams has apologised for a video he posted online These are your latest rugby headlines on the evening of Sunday, June 1 All Blacks star apologises for video after tragic death Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams has issued an apology after he published a video on social media that appeared to show support for a viral rugby-based game which led to the death of a teenager in New Zealand. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died in hospital on Monday after suffering a "serious head injury" while playing a game of 'run it straight' with friends in the city of Palmerston North. The game - videos of which have recently gone viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram - sees two players, one with a ball and the other the tackler, charge at each other at full speed with no protective gear, in order to try and knock each other down. Official tournaments have also been held, with one such event being held in Auckland earier this month, with participants competing for a prize of around $20,000. While the tragedy involving Satterthwaite made headlines around the world, Williams shared a clip on social media from a match he played for Canterbury in 2004, which saw him collide with Penrith star Joel Clinton. Captioning the video 'old school, what a hit', the 39-year-old added: "Playing run it straight before it was called run it straight". The post sparked backlash amid the tragic news, with Williams taking to social media again to apologise for his comments upon learning of the teenager's death. "I put a video up last night, and I just want to ask for forgiveness of the young fulla that passed away," he said. "Please excuse me for my insensitivity. I did not know that had happened. "I want to talk about it for a second right now. I've been asked to collab with the Run it Straight people, or a couple of people and I haven't, simply because I wouldn't put my kids in it. I have safety concerns and that's just my thoughts on it." However, Williams added that he believes the sport will continue to be played and called for changes to implemented to keep those involved as safe as possible. "I'd like weight classes and rules around head contact, but also age and experience classes as well," he continued. "It's gonna carry on, because people love it. It's entertainment. "But I'd like to see some heavily controlled safety restrictions come in. Once again to the family, my love and regards go out to you guys." Missing player found Rugby league player Brandon Moore has been found after going missing on Friday night, his wife has confirmed. The 28-year-old had been named in the Batley Bulldogs squad for their Championship match against Toulouse Olympique on Saturday but had not been seen since the night before. His wife Mara had posted an urgent appeal on Facebook to help find him, writing: "Please share. If anyone has seen Brandon Moore can you please message me? "I usually wouldn't ever post anything on here like this, but family and friends haven't seen or heard of him and hoping maybe someone's seen sightings of him and can message me? I have a 7 week old baby at home and 2 others so I can't go hunting myself other than a car ride.'" The post was shared over 2,700 times and the father-of-three has since been found, with Mara confirming that he is now "in safe hands". "Thank you to everyone that shared, we actually found him through the power of Facebook," she wrote as she confirmed the good news. "So thank you to everyone that's helped me!!" Lions star sweating on fitness Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier is a major doubt for Leinster's URC semi-final against Glasgow after being forced off with a hamstring issue against the Scarlets. Reports in Ireland suggest Leinster believe the injury is not serious, but the extent of it will not be known until Van der Flier undergoes a scan. Having recently been named in Andy Farrell's Lions squad to tour Australia, van der Flier faces a nervy wait. The back-row was forced off in the first-half of the 33-21 win over the Scarlets. Afterwards, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen took issue with Wales full-back Blair Murray's try on the stroke of half-time that brought the Scarlets within a point of the Irish province. "I think we're well on top for large parts of, particularly the first-half," said Cullen. 'It's a big moment before half-time, isn't it, because we are on their line. If you look at it, there are multiple Scarlets players that are offside, but we play and we don't execute, so there's stuff in our control. 'And then they go the length of the field, in a perfect world it gets refereed and you have a penalty there, and we're eight points clear at that stage, we'd go into half-time 11 points up. 'Instead it's one point and you're like 'Ughhhh'. But I thought the composure was good at half-time. Again, it paints a completely different complexion on the game. 'We've lost a knockout game where there's a penalty in front of the posts which (Henry) Pollock is off his feet which we should have had which we could have kicked to level the game. 'There should have been a penalty try at the end of that game which means we would have won that game which meant we would be talking about how we got on in the Champions Cup final. 'We're not at that stage, so knockout rugby, there are so many different variables, and we need to get all of our bits right and we'd hope that the referees get their bits right as well. 'But that's what it's like. It's tense, there's pressure there for both teams. And I thought we applied pressure for large periods of the game today. That's pleasing and a credit to the players. 'That try was such a big swing. It's a 92-metre turnaround and call it a 10-point swing in terms of the scoreboard. To come back from that, get back on top again and make sure we had a two-score lead for most of the remainder of the game was pleasing. Article continues below 'It's winning ugly sometimes, isn't it? You've got to do it, so I am pleased we won ugly."
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sonny Bill Williams apologises for posting video about a new viral collision sport - following a 19-year-old's tragic death
Former All Blacks player Sonny Bill Williams has apologised after he published a video on Instagram appearing to show support for a new viral collision sport. 'Run it straight' is a game that challenges two participants to run straight into each other and compete in full-contact collisions. Players win by either tackling an opponent to the floor or by successfully breaking through the tackle as a ball carrier. Last week, a 19-year-old man tragically died after participating in a private game of 'run it straight' with friends in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Ryan Satterthwaite is understood to have suffered a 'serious head injury' and later died in hospital. His uncle also told Stuff that Satterthwaite and his friends were inspired to try the sport after seeing it on social media. Run it straight events have become popular in recent years for their big collisions (pictured) but health experts and government officials have issued concerns over the sport's safety Multiple health professionals have also raised concerns over the dangers of the sport while some 'run it straight' events in New Zealand have been cancelled. Last week, Williams, who played both rugby union and league during his career, shared a clip from his playing days with Canterbury in 2004 on social media. In the video, the former footy player was seen colliding with Penrith's Joel Clinton during a match. He captioned the video 'old school what a hit'. He added: 'Playing run it straight before it was called run it straight.' Williams has since taken to social media to apologise for his comments upon learning of Satterthwaite's passing. 'I put a video up last night, and I just want to ask for forgiveness of the young fulla that passed away,' Williams said on his social media account. 'Please excuse me for my insensitivity. I did not know that had happened. 'I want to talk about it for a second right now. 'I've been asked to collab with the Run it Straight people, or a couple of people and I haven't. 'Simply because I wouldn't put my kids in it. 'I have safety concerns and that's just my thoughts on it.' Williams believes the sport will continue to be played and added the changes he'd like to see implemented to ensure the safety of participants. 'I'd like weight classes and rules around head contact, but also age and experience classes as well,' he said. 'It's gonna carry on, because people love it. It's entertainment. But I'd like to see some heavily controlled safety restrictions come in. 'Once again to the family, my love and regards go out to you guys.' Some run it straight events that were due to take place in New Zealand have been cancelled in recent weeks Another former All Blacks star Ardie Savea has also spoken out on the new sport, encouraging people to be safe, but like Williams, believes run it straight events will continue. 'First and foremost, condolences to the young brother that passed away and his family,' the former World Rugby Player of the Year said. 'I obviously don't want anyone getting hurt and losing lives. 'It's really hard to say, but I'd just encourage people to be safe.' Organisers of the RUNIT Championship, one of the sport's most high-profile competitions, have also spoken out following Satterthwaite's passing. 'We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be performed under strict conditions,' a spokesperson from the RUNIT Championship told Code Sports. Both New Zealand Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby have been forced to distance themselves from the trend and events 'RUNIT is planning future events over the coming months and will continue to educate our followers on the risks associated.' A safety spokesperson for the RUNIT Championship, Billy Coffey, has previously told RNZ that the competition has several safety precautions in place, to reduce the risks associated with the sport. Competitors are required to wear gumshields and head gear is also optional. 'We've got an ambulance on site… We've got liability. Everything's covered,' RUNIT safety spokesperson Billy Coffey told RNZ. 'There's waivers, medicals beforehand, medicals after. There's an ambulance on site.' Earlier in May, an event, which was being organised by RunItStraight24 at Auckland's Williams Park Mangere was postponed. It comes as the New Zealand government have raised concerns over the safety risks the sport presents and are seeking advice on the matter. Sport NZ CEO Raelene Castle told The New Zealand Herald: 'Both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) are committed to fostering safe and inclusive activities and events for all New Zealanders. 'We are working to facilitate a cross-agency discussion with those who have an interest in this area on what a Government approach to the operation of combat sport, including the emergence of activities and events like run it straight, in New Zealand could look like.' Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell said: 'I have made my concerns clear and have asked officials for advice in terms of what powers and actions can be taken by the Government to respond to unregulated activities and events that pose a significant level of risk.' New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also urged young adults to take heed of the safety advice being issued by medical professionals. 'When it's happening at a 21st birthday party unofficially, that is not something the Government can solve through legislation or through regulation,' Luxon said. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed his concerns over the sport, which has grown in popularity following its explosion on social media 'All I can say to young adults who are participating is you've got some personal responsibility in this. You're hearing the advice from the police, from the medical fraternity, from the Government, from principals saying don't do it. 'To the adults that are involved in more formal organisation of it and are influencing it and leading this out on social media; I think you need to stop and I can't be any clearer. 'The evidence is that it's a dumb thing to do and you should stop.' Dr Rowena Mobbs, a neurologist and the founder and director of the Australian CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) Biobank, told Daily Mail Australia that the sport poses 'higher risk scenarios' compared to other contact sports. '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. '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.' '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 serious consequences, even death.' New Zealand Rugby League have since echoed the warnings before distancing themselves from the sport.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Wouldn't put my kids in it': SBW apologises for promoting Run it Straight after New Zealand tragedy
Sonny Bill Williams has apologised for sharing a video promoting 'Run it Straight' just days after a teenager in New Zealand died while playing a similar game with friends. One of the modern game's hardest hitters, Williams played in the pre and post shoulder charge NRL era, and there are plenty of videos on social media of his most brutal tackles. One user found a clip from 2004 of Williams putting a big hit on Penrith's Joel Clinton. Williams shared the footage, to his 1.5 million followers with the caption: 'Playing run it straight before it was called run it straight…' The 39-year-old later apologised after being made aware of the tragedy that took place in New Zealand earlier in the week. Nineteen year old Ryan Satterthwaite died on Monday night after suffering a head injury while playing a private game of 'run it straight' with friends in Palmerston North. Satterthwaite's uncle said he was inspired to give the viral online craze a try after seeing clips of it on social media. 'I put a video up last night, and I just want to ask for forgiveness of the young fulla that passed away,' Williams said in a follow up Instagram story on Saturday. 'Please excuse me for my insensitivity. 'I did not know that had happened. 'I want to talk about it for a second right now. 'I've been asked to collab with the Run it Straight people, or a couple of people, and I haven't. 'Simply because I wouldn't put my kids in it. 'I have safety concerns, and that's just my thoughts on it.' 'Run it straight' has exploded in popularity over the last five months, with videos of big collisions going viral on social media. The new 'sport' has proved controversial though, with dozens of concussion experts, former players, mental health professionals and even Prime Minister of New Zealand condemning the controversial game. Although he has his reservations, Williams believes the trend will continue. 'I'd like weight classes and rules around head contact, but also age and experience classes as well,' he said. 'It's gonna carry on, because people love it. It's entertainment. 'But I'd like to see some heavily controlled safety restrictions come in. 'Once again to the family, my love and regards go out to you guys.' Run it Straight touts itself as the world's newest combat sport. It sees two competitors - one attacker with a rugby ball, and one defender - run directly at each other from opposite ends of a 20m 'battlefield.' The huge collisions have seen scary knockouts, concussions and, in one instance, left a man convulsing on the ground. Run it Straight has been widely criticised for the obvious concussion dangers, and several planned events in New Zealand have been cancelled.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sonny Bill Williams and another world famous footy star send risky messages about super-violent new Aussie sport that resulted in 19-year-old's tragic death
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. 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. 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. 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 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.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'We'll keep it': SBW tips more Wallabies Bledisloe woes
Sonny Bill Williams is cautioning fans against thinking Australia's improved Super Rugby Pacific fortunes will help the Wallabies finally wrestle back the Bledisloe Cup in 2025. The ACT Brumbies are sitting atop the ladder three weeks out from the finals, the Queensland Reds are also heading for the playoffs, while Australian sides have only lost two home games all season in a vastly better showing than in recent years. Despite a run of four straight defeats, the NSW Waratahs also remain a slim chances of squeezing into the finals. But it's also the brand of rugby the Brumbies and Reds have been producing that has Williams convinced an Australian team can at last break New Zealand's decade-long domination of Super Rugby. "I hope so and that's coming from a Kiwi. It's been a tough few years," the two-time World Cup winner told AAP. "The great thing about this season is they're actually playing really, really good footy. Entertaining footy. Footy that you want to turn the telly on and watch. "Will that get them across the line? I'm not too sure because it's some stiff competition. "But that success breeds optimism and it's something Australia needs going into the Lions series and the upcoming World Cup (in 2027). "So it's good. Aussies love backing Aussies and getting on the train to success. That's what it's about. "At least we're not sitting here beating the drum that's not making any noise. Australian rugby's making some really good music." Williams, though, is not so sure the Wallabies will regain trans-Tasman bragging rights and return the Bledisloe to Australia for the first time since 2003. But the All Blacks great is predicting a titanic battle. "Look, as a Kiwi, hopefully the drought continues," he said. "But I honestly think that it's going to be extremely competitive and I think they can get it done, the way they've been playing, the Australian players. "So it's not crazy to think that they could get it back. But I'm a Kiwi, bro. I could never go against my brothers." Adding to the enormity of the challenge for the Wallabies this year is the fact the Bledisloe series will again only two Tests, meaning Australia must win both. A drawn series is never good enough, as the Wallabies have learnt five times since the All Blacks regained the prized silverware with a 2-0 series victory in 2003. Another loss at Eden Park, where the Wallabies haven't won since 1986, on September 27 and the Two-Test series will be over even before Joe Schmidt's men travel to Perth for game two on October 4. "In 2017 we played up in Brisbane and you guys got us up there but it's a tough proposition to beat a New Zealand team two times in a row," Williams said. "We'll keep it. We'll still keep it over there. It's all good brother." Sonny Bill Williams is cautioning fans against thinking Australia's improved Super Rugby Pacific fortunes will help the Wallabies finally wrestle back the Bledisloe Cup in 2025. The ACT Brumbies are sitting atop the ladder three weeks out from the finals, the Queensland Reds are also heading for the playoffs, while Australian sides have only lost two home games all season in a vastly better showing than in recent years. Despite a run of four straight defeats, the NSW Waratahs also remain a slim chances of squeezing into the finals. But it's also the brand of rugby the Brumbies and Reds have been producing that has Williams convinced an Australian team can at last break New Zealand's decade-long domination of Super Rugby. "I hope so and that's coming from a Kiwi. It's been a tough few years," the two-time World Cup winner told AAP. "The great thing about this season is they're actually playing really, really good footy. Entertaining footy. Footy that you want to turn the telly on and watch. "Will that get them across the line? I'm not too sure because it's some stiff competition. "But that success breeds optimism and it's something Australia needs going into the Lions series and the upcoming World Cup (in 2027). "So it's good. Aussies love backing Aussies and getting on the train to success. That's what it's about. "At least we're not sitting here beating the drum that's not making any noise. Australian rugby's making some really good music." Williams, though, is not so sure the Wallabies will regain trans-Tasman bragging rights and return the Bledisloe to Australia for the first time since 2003. But the All Blacks great is predicting a titanic battle. "Look, as a Kiwi, hopefully the drought continues," he said. "But I honestly think that it's going to be extremely competitive and I think they can get it done, the way they've been playing, the Australian players. "So it's not crazy to think that they could get it back. But I'm a Kiwi, bro. I could never go against my brothers." Adding to the enormity of the challenge for the Wallabies this year is the fact the Bledisloe series will again only two Tests, meaning Australia must win both. A drawn series is never good enough, as the Wallabies have learnt five times since the All Blacks regained the prized silverware with a 2-0 series victory in 2003. Another loss at Eden Park, where the Wallabies haven't won since 1986, on September 27 and the Two-Test series will be over even before Joe Schmidt's men travel to Perth for game two on October 4. "In 2017 we played up in Brisbane and you guys got us up there but it's a tough proposition to beat a New Zealand team two times in a row," Williams said. "We'll keep it. We'll still keep it over there. It's all good brother." Sonny Bill Williams is cautioning fans against thinking Australia's improved Super Rugby Pacific fortunes will help the Wallabies finally wrestle back the Bledisloe Cup in 2025. The ACT Brumbies are sitting atop the ladder three weeks out from the finals, the Queensland Reds are also heading for the playoffs, while Australian sides have only lost two home games all season in a vastly better showing than in recent years. Despite a run of four straight defeats, the NSW Waratahs also remain a slim chances of squeezing into the finals. But it's also the brand of rugby the Brumbies and Reds have been producing that has Williams convinced an Australian team can at last break New Zealand's decade-long domination of Super Rugby. "I hope so and that's coming from a Kiwi. It's been a tough few years," the two-time World Cup winner told AAP. "The great thing about this season is they're actually playing really, really good footy. Entertaining footy. Footy that you want to turn the telly on and watch. "Will that get them across the line? I'm not too sure because it's some stiff competition. "But that success breeds optimism and it's something Australia needs going into the Lions series and the upcoming World Cup (in 2027). "So it's good. Aussies love backing Aussies and getting on the train to success. That's what it's about. "At least we're not sitting here beating the drum that's not making any noise. Australian rugby's making some really good music." Williams, though, is not so sure the Wallabies will regain trans-Tasman bragging rights and return the Bledisloe to Australia for the first time since 2003. But the All Blacks great is predicting a titanic battle. "Look, as a Kiwi, hopefully the drought continues," he said. "But I honestly think that it's going to be extremely competitive and I think they can get it done, the way they've been playing, the Australian players. "So it's not crazy to think that they could get it back. But I'm a Kiwi, bro. I could never go against my brothers." Adding to the enormity of the challenge for the Wallabies this year is the fact the Bledisloe series will again only two Tests, meaning Australia must win both. A drawn series is never good enough, as the Wallabies have learnt five times since the All Blacks regained the prized silverware with a 2-0 series victory in 2003. Another loss at Eden Park, where the Wallabies haven't won since 1986, on September 27 and the Two-Test series will be over even before Joe Schmidt's men travel to Perth for game two on October 4. "In 2017 we played up in Brisbane and you guys got us up there but it's a tough proposition to beat a New Zealand team two times in a row," Williams said. "We'll keep it. We'll still keep it over there. It's all good brother."
