All Blacks star Ardie Savea issues plea for fans to avoid viral 'run it straight' craze after 19-year-old's death

This article was originally published by Stuff.co.nz and has been reproduced here with permission.

All Blacks star Ardie Savea is urging people taking part in the 'run it straight' social media craze to be safe.

Super Rugby Pacific's player of the year and the Moana Pasifika captain has spoken out on the dangers of the current social media fad and began by offering his condolences to the family of a Palmerston North teenager who died on Mondayafter taking part in an impromptu game of 'run it straight', with friends, on Sunday.

Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, suffered a serious head injury after being tackled the day after attending a 21st birthday. The teenager's life support was turned off on Monday night.

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"(My message) first and foremost is condolences to the young brother that passed away and his family. It's never nice hearing that, obviously," Savea said.

"I just obviously don't want anyone getting hurt and losing lives. I'm just encouraging everyone to be safe and condolences to our brother and his family."

The run it straight game is not new, but has exploded in popularity through the Australian-based RUNIT Championship League competition and is taking social media by storm.

"Born to go viral, built to break limits, it has taken social media by storm with tens of millions of views," RUNIT's website says.

Built around actions seen in rugby union, rugby league, the NFL and AFL, the game requires a ball runner and a tackler who stand at each end of a 20m x 4m field before running full speed at each other.

There have been widespread calls to ban the seemingly fast-growing sport.

Savea revealed he used to have his own take on the combative game with his brother, Julian Savea, when they were growing up.

"It's a tough one," Ardie Savea said. "I don't know the precautions they take in terms of the head side of things and you can see the other side and understand why they're doing it and whatnot.

"It's hard because it's kind of made me the rugby player I am – I used to do run it straights in the backyard with Bus (brother Julian Savea) – so you kind of see both sides.

"It's really hard to say, but I'd just encourage people to be safe."

Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga also spoke about the social media craze but more on the sanctioned events rather than young people having a crack with their mates.

"I just see they are predominantly our people – Māori and Pacific Islanders – who are just trying to get ahead in life," Umaga said.

Canterbury Rugby League representative Champ Betham won $20,000 for taking victory in the second Auckland RUNIT Championship league trial last week.

"My situation is different to theirs, so it's hard to judge in terms of why they do it," Umaga said.

"I can see why they do it – because it could give them a stepping stone into making a better life for them and their families.

"I can see why they're doing it, but it is just about making sure that they keep themselves safe."

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New Zealand Rugby released a statement on Wednesday urging people not to take part in the 'run it straight' fad and offering its condolences Satterthwaite's whānau and community.

"We urge people not to take part in Run It Straight games or competitions as they carry significant risk of serious injury.

"Those wanting to play contact sports should register for a school or club team and learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion," the statement said.