NSW country league player dies

A 29-year-old rugby league player has died during a match at Ballina on NSW north coast.

A 29-year-old rugby league player has died during a match on the NSW north coast, Country Rugby League (CRL) has announced.

Zane Purcell passed away while playing for the Lower Clarence Magpies reserve grade side on Sunday afternoon against the Ballina Seagulls at Ballina.

ABC TV reported that Mr Purcell collapsed following a head clash and was taken to hospital but could not be revived.

CRL are not making any further comment in respect for family and friends of Mr Purcell.

In a statement on Sunday, the CRL sent their condolences and said they were providing counselling for the family and both teams involved in Sunday's match.

It's the third on field death in just over a week.

Welsh international rugby league player Danny Jones died from a suspected cardiac arrest during his club's League 1 match in London on May 3, while an Australian Rules player in his 20s passed away during a game in regional Victoria on May 2.


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Source: AAP


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