Run It Straight not a sport but glorified ultra-violence

And talking of stupid, I was introduced today to the "sport" of Run It or Run It Straight. It seems to be a mainly Australia/New Zealand-based idea, and most popular among Pacific Islanders for whom rugby is just too tame. 

At its simplest, one contestant holding a rather superfluous rugby ball has to run full tilt towards a defender who is also sprinting directly towards the other. They are not allowed to duck, jump or side-step each other, so, obviously enough, there is a huge body collision, because these are big guys. One of them, of course, comes off worst, or the ball is dislodged, and the winner goes through to another round. Proponents call it a "game of strength and skill", and gush about the footwork involved. The leagues insist there are safety protocols in place to minimize injuries (blood tests and a physical exam - what are they going to help?), but essentially it is just glorified ultra-violence.

It grew up in the back streets of poorer neighbourhoods, where there is nothing better to do that doesn't cost money, but there are now full-blown leagues, principally the Run It Straight Championship League, where the prize money is up to A$200,000. It has also attracted sponsors, and a rabid following, both live and on the Internet. Here's some footage on YouTube.

See what I mean about stupid? Each run take about 2 seconds, and one is pretty much identical to the next, except where there is a serious injury, which incites the crowd to deranged baying. It's not a great spectator sport if you ask me, but those that like it like it a lot. And to be fair, I probably wouldn't find a Roman gladiator contest particularly good spectating either. Ditto boxing. Ditto professional wrestling. Ditto mixed martial arts.

Certainly, it attracts a similar macho, testosterone- and adrenaline-fueled fanbase. And now there is a backlash from the medical community. Because, obviously, there are injuries - broken bones, concussions, longer-tern brain injuries, and yes, even deaths. Mental health workers have warned about the culture of toxic masculinity it encourages, and the lifestyle of violence and toughness it promotes. The leagues say that this sport is "not for the backyard, not for the streets", and caution "do not try this at home". But what do they really think is going to happen?