Rugby union player dies after head injury in NSW Central North

A rugby union player has died after suffering a head injury during a game in mid-northern NSW.

Quirindi Lions player Nicholas Tooth, 25, collapsed after a tackle during a Central North first grade clash against the Narrabri Blue Boars on Saturday (18th April).

First aid was administered at Quirindi Rugby Park before he was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

NSW Police said that he player suffered an apparent head injury and he died in hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Tooth studied agricultural economics at the University of Sydney and went to Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) in North Sydney.

Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious, but a report was being prepared for the coroner.

President of the Quirindi Lions football club, Charles Murray, told ABC New England that Tooth was visiting his home town from Sydney for the weekend and that his death “was just a very tragic accident.”

He said Tooth decided to compete with the first grade squad and added there was "nothing untoward" in the tackle in which he was injured.

Murray added “it really was just a tragic accident, Nick went in to tackle an opponent and his head clashed with (the opponent's) shoulder and he went down.

"There was no foul play, nothing untoward about it at all, sadly it was just a very tragic accident."

In a statement, Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver thanked those who helped at the scene and confirmed support would be offered to Tooth's family and club.

Pulver stated “the passing of one of our young country rugby players over the weekend is incredibly sad and is a loss that is felt by the entire Australian rugby community.”

On social media, friends have described the rugby player as "the best bloke".

Image courtesy of Quirindi Lions/Facebook.