FOOTBALLER'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1934, Page 11

FOOTBALLER'S DEATH

J. RURU, OF WELLINGTON

INJURED IN MAORI MATCH

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

ROTORUA, September '_'.

After being injured in the Maori Rugby football match for the Prince of Wales Cup played at Rotorua on Saturday, Jack Runi, single, aged 22, a young ■ Wellington representative player, died from hemorrhage at Rotorua Hospital at 10 o'clock on Saturday night. He was captain of the Tairawhiti (East Coast) team .which played at Taihauauru (West Coast) combination at Rotorua yesterday. ,

.Burn, was injured in a previous gamo about a. fortnight ago, and during yesterday's aiatch appeared to be suffering still from tho effects of concussion. Playing at five-eighth, 'ho was injured when ho went down to stop a forward rush. In the second spell ho collapsed, and was taken to Rotorua Hospital whore ho died without regaining consciousness.

Evidence that tho game had been played in a friendly spirit and -that there was no sign of rough tactics was given by the referee, Mr. A. L. Wallace, at an inquest held at Rotorua today before the District Coroner, Mr. \V. L. Richards. Ruru, Mr. Wallace said, called to him in the second spell, and then collapsed. Mr. Wallaco remembered someone saying during the game that Ruru had been injured in a previous match. Tho manager of the East Coast team, Mr. W. P. Pitt, stated that several times'during tho gamo Ruru put his hands to his head as though he were suffering from tho effects of concussion. ,

Tho inquest was adjourned. Tho funeral will take place at Gis borno on Tuesday.

Ruru was captain of the Victoria University College fifteen. .

Tho late Jack H. Ruru was a popular figure on and off the field of play in Wellington, and news of his death with such tragic suddenness conies as a great shock. For some years ho has been a student at Victoria University College, where he was highly respected as a worthy representative of the Maori race, having an unassuming way with him which mado' a very strong appeal. It was tho same in his career as a Kugby footballer, cut short at a time when this young player, at 22 years of age, was reaching tho top of his form. it was while still a student at To Aute College in 1929 that Ruru was chosen' as a Hawko's Bay Rugby representative, and tho promise ho showed then was T)eing fulfilled in Wellington this season, this, fine young .. player having been one of the outstanding backs in club football (playing for Victoria College) and having done well in' tho representative' matches for which ho was chosen, though in two of them he was affected by injuries. His play as a back was brilliant at times, and his future as a Rugby representative looked very bright.. Ho had played with the Maori representatives against the British team, and had also been a New Zealand University representative, having gono on a tour to Australia. He had been chosen as a member of the Wellington Rugby team for the southern tour to bo commenced this week, and ho was also regarded as certain of being selected as a member of the Maori touring team had ho boon available. By his death. Rugby football has lost a .fino sportsmau and a dashing, player. A son of Mr. Henare Ruru, of Gisborne, ho was born at To Karaka, Gisborne, in 1911. He was a studdnt at To Auto Collcgo for some years beforo coming to Wellington to continue- his education. His father, six sisters, and two brothers will have the sympathy of ia: very wide circle of friends in their sad loss.