Rugby player dies on the field after collapsing during centennial celebrations match in New Zealand

The centenary celebrations for one of New Zealand’s smallest rugby clubs ended in tragedy as a player died on the field.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the player collapsed during the game between Ruatoria City’s 2022 squad and a Ruatoria Centennial XV on Sunday after suffering a heart attack.

Despite extensive efforts to rescue the player, who was part of the Ruatoria City’s XV, he was pronounced dead at the scene and the match was abandoned. 

Two ambulances rushed onto the field to help rescue the player who collapsed during the game between Ruatoria City’s 2022 squad and a Ruatoria Centennial XV on Sunday

A St John Ambulance spokesperson said paramedic crews and two ambulances attending the event responded to the incident. 

A rescue helicopter from Gisborne – a city located on the Eastern Cape of New Zealand’s North Island, some 130kilometers south of Ruatoria – also intervened.

According to a statement from the local police force, an officer who was present at the event also joined the rescue effort, helping paramedics with CPR.

Ngāti Porou East Coast clash against Mid Canterbury for the Lochore Cup final went ahead despite the tragic passing of the player in the previous match

The game was part of the centennial celebrations of the local rugby club and it was the curtain-raiser to Ngāti Porou East Coast’s clash against Mid Canterbury for the Lochore Cup final on Sunday afternoon. 

As per Provincial Rugby News, organisers decided the game should go ahead with a minute of silence observed before kick-off.

Ngāti Porou East Coast prevailed 25-20 over Mid Canterbury in a closely-contested final to clinch the Lochore Cup for the first time.