This was a pro bono matter taken on behalf of 30 former rugby players who had suffered serious spinal injuries whilst playing rugby. Initially, the NZRFU took the view that injured players were “no longer members of the Union” and so owed them no duty. However, sustained media pressure resulted in the Union reviewing all cases and making changes to rules and training regimes etc. An insurance scheme was introduced securing immediate payment for any future victims. The Union also committed to pay several million dollars into a trust administered by the Rugby Foundation to assist both existing and future victims.
