Kempsey Rugby Club centre Kullen Beathe, 23, died after a tackle in a grand final match.

"He was transported by ambulance to Kempsey Hospital but passed away at 6.30pm last night," the ARU said in a statement.

ARU managing director John O'Neill said: "Our hearts go out to Kullen's family. We are all struggling to understand this.

"To Kullen's family and club mates, our sympathy and prayers are with you today."

Another Mid-North Coast Rugby player, Alan McCabe, suffered a serious spinal injury during a separate grand final match on Saturday.

McCabe, a hooker from Coffs Harbour who was playing for Southern Cross University, was injured in a scrum.

"During the course of this scrum Alan called Mayday and the scrum broke up, it did not collapse," a Mid-North Coast Rugby statement said.

"It was immediately evident that Alan was in serious trouble and play was halted... Alan was airlifted to [Sydney's] Royal North Shore Hospital."