What would rugby hell really look like?

By Harry Jones / Expert

Israel Folau is free to have his definition of eternal misery. But what would rugby hell look like?

Here are my pictures of hell on the rugby pitch, and in the coaches’ and commentary box.

1. Allister ‘Kootchie Koo’ Coetzee in Albany talking about positives in the wake of the worst loss in Springhok history.

2. RAF Lt bomber pilot Bernard Foley loading up his siege gun boot to pop a seven metre clearance kick, and protesting the touch ref’s vector.

3. A 29 minute mudball-in-play, 50+ garryowen, no-try, knock-on-a-looza snoozefest from the 1980s.

4. Halftime interviews with breathless backline players panting about ‘playing in the right areas’ and ‘taking our chances.’

5. Raymond Rhule going to ground five seconds and ten metres before his opponent reaches the tackle zone, and his befuddled reaction.

6. Rieko Ioane with the ball, in space.

7. A Stormers lineout throw at 79:00, with the game in the balance.

8. Israel Folau’s effete cover tackles; slow jogging to perdition.

9. Ruan Dreyer (when wearing green and gold) imitating a plank pancake taking a nap.

10. Aussie commentators analysing why an Aussie team is losing to a Kiwi side.

11. Pedantic scrumhalves, shrilly directing forwards, slapping arses, windmilling to refs, in perpetual Quigleyesque grievance mode.

12. Chip kicks that go out on the full.

13. Grubbers that don’t grub.

14. Damian de Allende charging down Lima Sopoaga’s missed droppie; with half-hearted forearm to the head.

15. Offloads that don’t load.

16. The white-clad skintight English rugby team’s protruding nipples.

17. Dan Biggar’s and Damian McKenzie’s love child’s kicking routine in 2042.

18. Being Michael Cheika’s first questioner after a loss.

19. Eddie Jones after a win.

20. Referees explaining scrums to props.

21. Yellow cards for running on a guy’s head you didn’t see.

22. French Euros’ corrupting influence on all that is good and heavenly.

23. The enduring mystery of whether Ryan Crotty and Jonny Sexton are actually nice guys.

24. TMOs who look at each blade of grass, every micro wrinkle of clothing, and slo-motion saliva tracks, only to say: ‘That’s all the looks we have, Nigel.’

25. Folau asking Nigel Owens to be fair.

26. The non-word ‘physicality.’ I spell it fizikaliti.

27. Incessant hand-hair-combing (Michael Hooper) after yet another dominant tackle.

28. The 2016 and 2017 Springboks.

29. The town of Brighton.

30. Lineout predictability; mauls that fail, when it’s harder to botch one than roll one.

31. Players used as commentators when they can’t talk.

32. Incessant chatting about a world schedule.

33. Quotas.

34. Trying to tackle Ngani Laumape.

35. Watching any well-kicked ball headed to an area in which Folau is; nobody except Kieran Read has a chance. And Ichiban won’t emigrate to SA.

36. Focus on possession stats.

37. Cut-out passes to nobody.

38. Keeping the ball in the scrum too long; conceding a penalty.

39. Trying to get two hands on Ben Smith.

40. BBBBB.

The Crowd Says:

2018-04-13T02:21:59+00:00

Ralph

Guest


+1

2018-04-11T11:24:39+00:00

Rugby Tragic

Roar Rookie


Yes, hell yes!!! Nice one KK

2018-04-10T07:54:42+00:00

adastra32

Guest


- being Michael Cheika's kicking coach (does he actually have one?)

2018-04-10T04:49:34+00:00

cuw

Guest


@ Harry Jones am wondering after IF comment - how will Nigel Owens ref an aussy match? :) " i will show u what hell is like lad - off you go " :P

2018-04-10T04:45:28+00:00

cuw

Guest


well it happened in the Chiefs v Gloucester match - the prop was Josh Hohneck , i think the wing was Whitten ( or was it Woodburn ? ) :P

2018-04-10T04:43:00+00:00

cuw

Guest


RR wont rest until u do a " GOOD " article on him and his defense :)

2018-04-10T03:01:30+00:00

piru

Roar Rookie


A prop caught out of position on the end of the line with a winger coming at his outside shoulder

2018-04-10T02:53:32+00:00

PK

Guest


" 8. Israel Folau’s effete cover tackles; slow jogging to perdition." Wallabies woeful record in recent times right there.

2018-04-09T23:41:30+00:00

Ralph

Roar Guru


Where the scrum is reset over and over until the clock runs out.

AUTHOR

2018-04-09T18:02:46+00:00

Harry Jones

Expert


Good one, Carlos.

AUTHOR

2018-04-09T18:02:17+00:00

Harry Jones

Expert


Biggest star!

AUTHOR

2018-04-09T18:01:44+00:00

Harry Jones

Expert


I know the Rhule one was! I got some bad feedback from Fleckie! Hahaahah

2018-04-09T16:22:36+00:00

Carlos The Argie

Guest


He is not the eldest...

2018-04-09T16:21:56+00:00

Carlos The Argie

Guest


That is very kind of you and hopefully true.

2018-04-09T13:51:19+00:00

Rhys Bosley

Guest


Hell for me is having come up with the following jibe for the All Blacks Facebook page... “What! Is that a thunderclap I hear over yonder to the East?” “Nay Sir, it is the sound of four million breaking Kiwi hearts!” ... I prepared it in anticipation of Quade Cooper kicking the winning drop goal in extra time to knock the All Blacks out of the 2011 World Cup, but would now gladly use it for just one Bledisloe Cup win :-(

AUTHOR

2018-04-09T10:13:09+00:00

Harry Jones

Expert


Transkei Green or Milnerton Red?

AUTHOR

2018-04-09T10:11:59+00:00

Harry Jones

Expert


Big Brother

2018-04-09T08:31:02+00:00

DavSA

Guest


Varsity Cup power plays being introduced to Test rugby . Whoever thought that one up was smoking Transkei's finest green .

2018-04-09T07:23:19+00:00

cuw

Guest


the analysis u and harry did made sure he was chuked from the panel. it is very clear these articles are read by those in the game also. look at Raymond - he has improved beyond belief :)

2018-04-09T07:21:33+00:00

BeastieBoy

Guest


Populated by Referees judging every move you make..that would be Hell

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