- NRL star Kotoni Staggs ‘folded’ a business owner
- Part of global trend ‘Run it Straight’ challenge
Footy star Kotoni Staggs has been captured on video ‘folding’ the owner of a Brisbane skincare company.
The vision quickly went viral on social media – and the Daily Mail understands the premiership-winner won’t face any scrutiny for the incident as the NRL club insisted it was a ‘staged’ clip.
In the video, Staggs, 27, takes part in the ‘Run it Straight’ challenge with a representative from skincare business Rood Skin.
‘I’m about to fold you, bro,’ Ben Yong of Rood Skin joked to Staggs in the video.
‘Let’s go, brother,’ replied Staggs, who not surprisingly had the final say as Yong lay prone on the grass following the brutal contact.
‘I’m definitely concussed after that,’ Yong said.
Footy star Kotoni Staggs has been captured on video ‘folding’ the owner of a Brisbane skincare company
In the video, Staggs, 27, takes part in the ‘Run it Straight’ challenge with Ben Yong from skincare business Rood Skin
Yong quickly discovered he doesn’t have what it takes to succeed in the NRL (pictured)
Yong later declared on camera he was ‘definitely concussed’ following the contact
A Broncos spokesperson told Code Sports that the club was ‘aware of a staged video apparently promoting a range of men’s skincare products.’
The challenge made headlines last year after a New Zealand teenager died while participating in the popular trend.
Ryan Satterthwaite from Palmerston North passed away after taking part in the full-contact collision ‘sport’.
Manawatū Police Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed the young man was playing an impromptu tackle game with friends when the injury occurred.
Satterthwaite was rushed to hospital by his mates, but could not be saved.
Based on the ‘Run It Straight’ phenomenon, the dangerous trend involves two people charging at each other with no protective gear.
It has become a social media sensation, with organisers touting it as ‘the world’s fiercest new combat sport’.
Health professionals have stated the Run It Challenge ignores decades of head injury prevention research, with Australian neurologist Dr Alan Pearce condemning anyone who chooses to take part.
‘It’s insanity. You’re removing the skill and strategy and replacing it with blunt force,’ he said.
Former NRL star George Burgess defended the concept, calling it a ‘safe simulation of past combat.’
