Aussie schools fear death in big-boy rugby

A TOP private Australian school is considering banning boys from playing rugby against some teams, fearing they could be seriously injured or even killed.

But in New Zealand, more children are lacing up their boots to play the national game.

At a time when the Queensland Reds are having one of their better seasons, the principal of Brisbane’s St Joseph’s College, Peter Chapman, is considering banning his students from playing rugby against teams that recruit talent from overseas. He said the excessive size and strength of some schoolboy teams could result in injury to opposing players.