The rescue helicopter was at the scene along with two ambulance crews after a player collapsed. Photo: SuppliedA player involved in a festival match celebrating the centenary of one of New Zealand's smallest rugby clubs has died this morning after an on-field incident. The player collapsed during the match between Ruatoria City's 2022 squad and a Ruatoria Centennial XV. The match was the curtain-raiser to this afternoon's Ngāti Porou East Coast clash against Mid Canterbury for the Lochore Cup final. On the Ngāti Porou East Coast rugby union Facebook page the curtain-raiser clash was described as a "state of origin Ngāti Style" with fathers up against sons, brothers against brothers and cousins against cousins.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 23, 2022 11:27 UTC