Editorial: Bullrush has got a new name – ‘run it straight’

For decades, boys on school fields have run at each other, tackling their friends to the ground or necking it across the field to avoid the slam. While the classic kiwi game Bullrush has been banned in most schools since the 80s — it still hasn’t stopped.  

Now it’s been rebranded as something more deadly.

‘Run it’ is Bullrush but honestly worse. It can’t even be considered a game. It just simply involves two people running full speed at each other to collide. Both games stem from rugby, but without the referee to blow the whistle.  

In May, 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite in Palmerston North died from a fatal head injury after playing the trending game with friends.  

Since then, many sports stars have come out condemning ‘run it’. Our top doctors have called for the sport to be banned. Experts say the collisions are more than five times the force of a typical rugby tackle. It’s been compared to the impact of severe car crashes.  

Even the Government has stepped in, seeking advice on what action can be taken against the trend. 

But despite warnings and real-life tragedies, some want this ‘sport’ to be taken worldwide. They’ve definitely had a few too many head injuries.  

They call themselves the RUNIT champion league, their website reading: “RUNIT is the WORLD’S fiercest, new collision sport. Born to go viral, built to break limits, it has taken social media by storm”. 

They’ve had games in Auckland, resulting in competitors retiring with too many injuries, or showing signs of concussion. The final was meant to be there too, but the venue pulled out of hosting due to safety concerns. Good PR move.  

So now, it’s being hosting in the Middle East, with finalists flown out to Dubai to fight for the prize of $200,000.  

What would you rather have: $200,000 or your life?  

It makes a mockery of real sport, where injury is avoided and athletes' safety is prioritised. 

History is repeating itself with this rebrand to a scary degree. Just like Ryan who passed in May, William Cranswick was also 19 and in Palmerston North when he died after suffering head injuries in a game of bullrush in 2003.  

‘Run it’ is an insult to William’s legacy, an insult to what was learnt 22 years ago. Both deaths were completely avoidable, and the blame is personal.  

The government can’t do anything to stop a game that relies on free will. Bullrush has been banned for a long time for a reason, and a rebrand doesn’t change that.  

Run it back to the rugby field.