LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
"What the heck am I doing here?": Former NRL star withdraws from coaching controversial event
Former Manly Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers forward Josh Aloiai joined the coaching lineup at the Run Nation Championship, an event that pits two competitors running straight into each other in ways critics say lead to head trauma.
He used Instagram on Saturday to voice remorse about his role and to tell followers he felt he had let his fighters down.
"After coaching at RNC last night, that's not something I could ever be involved in again," Aloiai said in the video.
"I could not do that again, it feels like you're just preparing dudes to go and get their heads knocked off, get brain bleeds, and tap them on the back and squirt water on their face."
The spectacle has attracted scrutiny over safety after incidents that underscore concerns around concussions and other serious injuries.
Aloiai said the biggest disappointment was his own failure to heed an initial instinct to steer clear.
"I'm the first one to blame, I should have listened to my gut, I should not have got involved at all," he said.
"But I did, and now I regret it".
He was careful to state he did not single out fellow coaches or behind-the-scenes staff for blame, describing the decision as personal.
"Man, they've (RNC coaches) done everything in their power to try and prep the boys so that they could get out there and just hit clean, and get out kind of unscathed," he added.
Aloiai confirmed he is stepping away from the competition and suggested the experience has changed how he will consider similar offers in future.