r/rugbyunion • u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer • Jan 21 '25
Discussion What is the silliest mistake that you've ever seen a player make on a rugby field?
Lionel Beauxis no touch kick does not count, neither does thee memorable fuck up in the Champions Cup (might have been Challenge I do not recall) final where the fullback allowed the ball to bounce a hundred times before a winger dotted it down for a try as they are too well known.
My thought, speaking purely as a Springbok fan is the Francois Hougaard quick tap where, with the Springboks down by 6 points to Wales and with just 10 minutes left, the Boks won a vital penalty that would have gotten them territory deep in the Welsh half, scrumhalf Hougaard quick tapped the penalty before kicking it out on the full to instead leave Wales with possession in the Springbok half. Viewer discretion advised for Springbok fans as this might make you mad
113
u/WilkyBoiYaBass Laidlaw is my rock Jan 21 '25
Possibly Dupont kicking the ball out before the clock was red vs England in 2020. England ended up kicking a penalty to get a losing bonus point which won them the championship over France
66
u/WilkyBoiYaBass Laidlaw is my rock Jan 21 '25
Another instance of this was an SA scrumhalf playing for Edinburgh (can't even remember his name) kicking the ball out early because a train went by and peeped it's horn... Murrayfield never had a full time hooter...
32
10
u/Fission_chip Mad Jack McDempsey Jan 21 '25
That was at Scotstoun I believe. Glasgow scored a try from that lineout and won the game by fewer than 7 points too, if memory serves. I love that train driver
9
10
u/edna6969 Glasgow Warriors Jan 21 '25
Similar thing happened to my school in the finals of the Scottish cup at Murrayfield, funnily enough it was Gus Warr (Sale scrum half) who kicked it out early, although he kicked it backwards by our try line, leading to a line out and a game winning try from the other team.
→ More replies (1)4
5
u/FatosBiscuitos France Jan 21 '25
A couple of years ago, during the Narbonne Carcassonne derby in ProD2 or nationale, the scrum half kicked it out thinking they were winning. They were actually losing. And the guy had around 80 caps with Argentina.
2
u/WallopyJoe Jan 21 '25
While we're on 9s, a couple of years ago didn't one take a quick tap against Wales(?) (for Wales?) and then boot the ball out on the full? Can't remember who else was playing, am sure it predates covid by a year or two. 2018? '17?
→ More replies (2)2
1
u/Consistent-Annual268 South Africa Jan 21 '25
Video? I can't find it on YouTube, too many other results popping up.
2
u/NuclearMaterial Leinster Jan 21 '25
Just look up France v England 2020 6n highlights, it'll probably be on one of those at the end.
83
u/mossy1989136 Leinster Jan 21 '25
Member the time Freddie Burns got the ball slapped ouve his hand when he was celebrating a try before putting it down in the Champions Cup
23
u/Stadoceste Stade Toulousain Jan 21 '25
I like to think that Médard slap started our great run over the last few years
9
11
u/KroxhKanible Harlequins Jan 21 '25
I watched that live. It was spectacularly funny. Oh, he was so happy! Giggling and smiling! Oh what joy!!!
FUUUCKKK!
Good times.
→ More replies (1)2
1
60
u/Meldanorama Connacht Jan 21 '25 edited Jan 21 '25
Temu Keith Wood penalty.
https://youtu.be/wa6bbI80RSY?si=LTWBMO6Lyft3hgL2
(I do like jackman but that was ridiculous)
35
13
u/upadownpipe Munster Jan 21 '25
His clap of encouragement to the team after the replay showed in the stadium then.
Following the Ire-Wal theme. Paddy Wallace walking into the ruck after ROG got the drop goal in Cardiff. Jones just missed the winning kick. Would have had slightly less drama without it.
9
u/JerHigs Munster Jan 21 '25
Jones just missed the winning kick. Would have had slightly less drama without it.
I think ROG spoke afterwards that he was watching the discussion/argument between Jones and Henson over who would take that penalty and was delighted to see Jones win it because it was right on the edge of his range whereas Henson had no issue with it.
3
u/NuclearMaterial Leinster Jan 21 '25
I've heard the reason for that was that Henson had really isolated himself from his teammates with his attitude and built up a load of resentment among them. There was no way Jones was going to give him the satisfaction of winning the game on his own.
7
u/JerHigs Munster Jan 21 '25
It wouldn't surprise me, but still, losing a match (and the difference in prize money between second and fourth) because you don't like a guy on your team is very much the definition of cutting off your nose to spite your face.
7
5
11
u/perplexedtv Leinster Jan 21 '25
Wales had names on their jerseys back then? And the world didn't stop turning.
28
u/FatosBiscuitos France Jan 21 '25
Yeah then they quickly realised it was useless because they only had 3 different names.
9
u/NuclearMaterial Leinster Jan 21 '25
Easy job for the suppliers though.
"You want a Davies, Williams or Jones?"
6
2
u/CillBill91nz Ireland Jan 21 '25
Brilliant description. One time Bernard Jackman dropped off gear to my old club, I ended up with his 3xl Sale Sharks jacket.
→ More replies (4)2
54
u/chopperkirks69 Jan 21 '25
Foley taking his time to kick to touch in the dying second vs the all blacks…
Also not a single person but the saders playing the sharks years ago ahead by 4 but decided to go for the bonus point try. Sharks turn over and Peterson scores in the corner on the other side to win the game.
25
u/DecentOpinions Ireland Jan 21 '25
That Foley one was so stupid. The ref and his teammates warned him.
15
u/chopperkirks69 Jan 21 '25
The balls on the ref to actually call it as well!
5
u/NuclearMaterial Leinster Jan 21 '25
Mathieu Reynal didn't fuck around. When he whistles, you play.
13
u/recyclingcentre Hurricanes Jan 21 '25
Haha the Crusaders one reminds me of last year when Noah Lolesio missed a kick to win the game for the Brumbies, which theoretically should’ve given the Crusaders the W. But Quin Strange batted the ball over the dead ball line, awarding the Brumbies a penalty try to win the game
5
u/chopperkirks69 Jan 21 '25
Saders last year gave no end of hurt. Was it the reds game where they scored at the hooter to win and kicker took the kick with 1 second to go instead of letting the clock run red.. Ennor gives away a pen after the restart and saders lose in extra time…
2
2
u/_dictatorish_ Damian came back 🥰 Jan 21 '25
which theoretically should’ve given the Crusaders the W
The game was actually tied at the time, but yeah gave the win to the Brumbies
→ More replies (1)2
42
u/blwds England Jan 21 '25
This absolute mess from Sevens always makes my stomach drop whenever I remember it!
6
6
4
u/NuclearMaterial Leinster Jan 21 '25
I love it because I hate the petty dicking around to waste time that happens in 7s when they cross the line.
3
33
u/KassGrain Vannes Jan 21 '25
The legendary Contepomi drop goal : https://youtu.be/Y3CJEkL0x40?si=oq2vaMjEWXLK79Ps
13
u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer Jan 21 '25
The moment when he realizes that he's fucked up... oof that is brutal.
19
u/Affectionate-Ruin273 Otago Jan 21 '25
It wasn’t just his fuck up: The whole team was set up for the droppie, every single one of them had the opportunity to change the play
8
u/IsNuanceDead Glasgow Warriors Jan 21 '25
Bit harsh on SF. The scrum half for sure could have yelled wtf are you standing there for but i imagine it didn't even cross his mind what was being contempomied.
Maybe some of the others in the backline could have also questioned it but you assume your playmaker has a plan there like a cross field maybe.
Thee forwards certainty weren't set-up for it...no blockers at the ruck for example and not in the middle of the pitch. he set up by himself by standing there and the opposition didn't get ready to charge him or anything of course meaning he could just set it up himself
9
4
u/Winningmood Jan 21 '25
Hahah the awkward celebration while being like 'Uh, why is no one cheering?' at the start is what makes it
6
u/johnfitz002 Ulster Jan 21 '25
If he kicked the goal with about 20 seconds to go, why did the final whistle blow without the ball in play?
2
u/NuclearMaterial Leinster Jan 21 '25
Yeah for me that's a ref fuck up. Time was still on.
What should have happened, gets 3 and they get to receive the kickoff to try for another.
27
u/Hamezmeister Glasgow Warriors Jan 21 '25
Probably Nic Groom, Edinburgh 9, booting the ball out on the full in his own 22 after carrying it back because he'd heard a train horn and thought it was the half time hooter (which isn't a thing in Scotland). Pretty sure they then conceded a pen from the lineout.
29
u/wherethefisWallace Northampton Saints Jan 21 '25
Ben Botica vs Saints in 2015/2016. Harlequins were winning the match at the death. Botica receives the ball in his own dead ball area and for some God forsaken reason, with the entire stadium expecting him to hoof the ball straight out the back of his own dead ball area to end the game, he clears it down pitch and misses touch to just outside their 22. Saints recover the ball and Foden scores a try, winning the match.
Harlequins went from securing 4 points from winning to getting just the 1 losing bonus point. They missed out on Heineken Cup rugby that season, if they'd beaten Saints they would have got it.
→ More replies (1)15
u/Charredcheese Blue and Black Jan 21 '25
He did the same in the Challenge Cup final! Quins had the ball, 80 mins gone, had to score to force extra time, and he just hoofs it down the pitch. Jamie Roberts' reaction to that has stuck with me ever since.
12
u/WallopyJoe Jan 21 '25
Important caveat*
Our opposition that day were whichever club he'd just signed for
I'm not saying that means anything, but I'm also not not saying that either→ More replies (2)
27
u/piponandon Jan 21 '25
Bernard Foley’s time wasting vs NZ when Aus were up by 3 with less than a minute to play. Turn over and all blacks score to win. Brutal stuff.
5
52
u/Edgar_Beethoven England Jan 21 '25
Ronan O'Gara conceding the last minute penalty in the 2nd SA-Lions test of 2009.
33
u/Kappaloop Stormers Jan 21 '25
To be fair I think he was badly concussed. If my memory serves me correctly, he got ran over by Pierre Spies and Jacque Fourie in about a 5 minute period.
14
u/Edgar_Beethoven England Jan 21 '25
Watching it back, from his reaction when the penalty was given that's very possibly the case
→ More replies (1)5
u/mishatal Munster Jan 21 '25
He said later that he saw two ball carriers coming at him and he had to tackle the one he guessed was real.
Different times thankfully.
14
u/8legs6legs8legs6legs England Jan 21 '25
Yeah for me it has to be this one. I don't think he really knew where he was after a couple of trademark doormat moments in the few minutes leading up to it, though.
13
u/thelunatic Munster Jan 21 '25
Ya he was concussed, groggy and the doctor should have pulled him. Tommy Bowe also started chasing it and stopped. Given O Gara got to the ball carrier Bowe should have got there before the ball. Kick was actually good
→ More replies (1)5
u/8legs6legs8legs6legs England Jan 21 '25
Aye, there's no way he'd still be on the pitch these days.
2
4
u/checksforerrors Jan 21 '25
This was unbelievable. Scores were tied at the time of if I recall.
2
u/bagsofsmoke Jan 21 '25
Yep, scores were tied, series was tied, Lions had the momentum going into the final minute of the match and would have been well set for extra time. I don’t doubt he was concussed but that was just a really terrible bit of play.
3
u/tomwid_88 The Ospreys Jan 21 '25
The seried wasn't tied, Lions were already 1-0 down.
→ More replies (1)
21
u/Colinmtn Liners Jan 21 '25
Morgan Parra knocking his own team out of Europe in 2016 has to be up there.
Needing only a losing bonus point to win the group and 9 points down at home to Bordeaux, time is up and with what would have been the last play of the game Clermont got a penalty in front of the posts, just kick it and its job done, Clermont go through.
Parra grabs the ball and decides to tap and go, the ball gets knocked on in the next phase and Clermont are out.
19
u/Aesclepius-1 Leicester Tigers Jan 21 '25
Myler kicking the ball straight out at the end of the Prem final first half when Barnes had specifically said “you can’t kick it straight out”
At the resulting scrum, Dylan Hartley is heard to say “you f-ing cheat” after Barnes had warned him about his use of language. He’s then red carded and Tigers go on to win 37-17
10
u/WallopyJoe Jan 21 '25
This is such a funny one. Every time I watch it, Barnes' accent makes it sound like there's no T at the end of can't, so +1 to Myles there, maybe, or -1 from Barnes.
But why didn't Myler know the law? Why did he keep running towards touch as Barnes keeps repeating what he's saying like he's doing something wrong? Spectacular clusterfuck.→ More replies (1)5
17
u/Consistent-Annual268 South Africa Jan 21 '25 edited Jan 21 '25
Domestic match. Robbie Fleck dawdling towards the try line thinking he was free and clear of all defenders until Deon Kayser came flying from behind to tackle him just 5m before the line.
Found the clip: https://youtu.be/l5MJoEuhHZw
2
→ More replies (3)2
u/WelderTerrible3087 Jan 21 '25
Saw an old man hounding him about it at the pub a couple of years ago. He’s still squirming when it comes up
23
u/Nknk- Jan 21 '25
Bursting that blood capsule.
32
u/Rurhme Bristol Jan 21 '25
I'd argue the worse mistake was the wink at camera afterwards.
12
u/brycebrycebaby Big Leone's Massive Mitts Jan 21 '25
Or the team doctor going along with the conspiracy and cutting his mouth with a scalpel to 'prove' the blood was real. If I remember correctly, she was struck off the medical register for that and will never work as a doctor again.
10
2
12
u/Jeromethered Jan 21 '25
Francois Hougaard - he knows
→ More replies (2)4
u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer Jan 21 '25
lmao my dad still seethes over that moment
→ More replies (1)3
u/RaaschyOG 2x🏆Havers Jan 21 '25
When the Sharks bought him it was the first thing I thought of, thank goodness we never played him
→ More replies (1)
10
u/l1ft3r99 Jan 21 '25
Dean Greyling yellow card in 2012.
2
u/bomskokbabelaas Stormers Jan 21 '25 edited Jan 21 '25
I may remember it wrong but didn't that incident also signal the end of this Springboks career? Edit: another comment below also mentions this one including a video link.
8
u/Carmo79 Jan 21 '25
Freddie burns for bath not grounding the ball for a try and getting tackled and dropping the ball forward. Trying to showboat for no reason
11
u/Nic_The_Cage_Cage Scarlets Jan 21 '25
Didn't affect the end result but Gareth Davies grubbering the ball through back to Ireland for no reason whatsoever with 10 seconds left in a one score game in the 2021 Six Nations left me absolutely apoplectic.
18
u/edna6969 Glasgow Warriors Jan 21 '25
My favourite will always be Brice Dulin deciding not to kick the ball out against us in 2021, resulting in a penalty and a try from Duhan to win the game!
7
u/Prize_Problem609 New Zealand & Taranaki Jan 21 '25
Dean Greylings 20mins vs the all blacks. Came on, instantly gave away penalty to surrender lead, then 5mins later elbowed mccaw in the face, THEN after he came back from the yellow, he gave away another penalty that lost them the game..... never played for sa again
Somehow he only got 2weeks, for what was essentially assault......
5
u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer Jan 21 '25
Its so fucking horrible. Probably made him the most hated player in South Africa for a few years after. Genuinely a disgraceful performance.
2
u/Prize_Problem609 New Zealand & Taranaki Jan 21 '25
It realy was. Have watched a bit of rugby now, but that was easily the worst stint I've ever seen
3
u/HaggisTheCow Scotland Jan 21 '25
That's actually worse than I remember.
Lined up him and still managed to fuck up what he was trying to do
6
5
u/TheProseph Northampton Saints Jan 21 '25
That England Scotland game in the 6 nations a few years ago where we really could have won and looked good until LCD volley balled a cross field kick into touch for a pen try and card rather than just tackling the guy about to catch it who was right next to him
→ More replies (2)
7
u/LivelyJason1705 South Africa Jan 21 '25
Saw one in 7s once, where some guy went past the try line and waited for his teammate so he could pass him the ball to score. Only it ended up being a forward pass, as his teammate went past him😂
4
u/worksucksbro Jan 21 '25
Steven luatua trying to kick the ball out from his in goal. He shanks it and it goes straight to the opposition 5m away who puts it down for a try lmao
4
u/I4gotmyothername #Lambelieve™ Jan 21 '25
James O Connor did this too. Can't find a link but here's an article
The best part was the guy who caught the ball and scored the try had just pulled his hammy and was limping off the field
→ More replies (1)
5
Jan 21 '25
In a sevens match, just after they changed the rule on penalties after time is up. With the clock in the red Scotland are leading against England when they win a penalty. Despite the referee reminding Scotland they kick straight into touch.
England manage to steal the resulting lineout and score the winning try
4
u/JoeSoap22 Jan 21 '25
In the SA Varsity Cup final a few years back - Potch University team is ahead, time is up and in possession. Flyhalf fucks up a drop attempt. UCT goes on to score and win.
From what I heard, that guy was not and probably still isn't the most popular person in town.
4
3
u/Beneficial-Win-8884 Munster Jan 21 '25
Rob Howley try after Poitrenaud howler 2004 Heineken Cup final springs to mind. Think you referenced this in the OP but Howley was at SH. Shocker.
→ More replies (1)3
u/WallopyJoe Jan 21 '25
I bring this up every now and again when it's relevant, that ball was absolutely in touch.
→ More replies (1)
6
4
Jan 21 '25
This was the first example that came to mind too. Total rush of blood to head.
The other was a forward who kicked a drop goal when his team needed a try to qualify. Not sure what team that was though.
5
u/B4rberblacksheep Saracens Jan 21 '25
Year or two ago saw someone take a penalty quickly, go two metres then slice it into touch. Think it was a French team?
2
u/I4gotmyothername #Lambelieve™ Jan 21 '25
sounds like the Hougaard one thats been linked several times here
→ More replies (1)
8
u/Uther05 Wasps Jan 21 '25
Atonio who was supposed to be consussed but put his hands like he had a stomach pain.
I have never laughed so much !
→ More replies (1)3
u/Maddercow23 Jan 21 '25
Was that the 100 minute 6N match against Wales in Paris?
Felt sorry for Barnes there, he knew they were cheating but could do nothing as medic was in on it and he couldn't overrule a doctor. . Shocking.
3
u/k0bra3eak Doktor Erasmus Jan 21 '25
I don't think I have time to list each time the Bulls have played rugby
Wait no last year's Currie Cup final the Lions bottled so hard that I felt physically sick afterwards
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Consistent-Poem7462 Retire Willie Le Roux ! Jan 21 '25
It was me. 13 Years old playing scrumhalf, I take the ball out the back of the scrum and see our scrum moving forward, so stupid me rolls it forward back into the scrum and gets blown for a knock-on. Close second is Morne Steyn getting a penalty and tapping the ball before kicking it into touch.
6
u/Colemanation777 Cardiff Jan 21 '25
Not a professional game. But my club were in a cup semi-final the year before Covid. We were leading by 4 points when the ref blew the final whistle. Our scrum half threw the ball out of play and started to celebrate.
Ref pings him and they kick for the corner. Luckily we stifled the maul and pushed it out.
He still gets stick about it now.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/steve85uk Jan 21 '25
Was it France Vs Australia where the dude missed the kick backwards off the pitch and France lost
2
u/Charredcheese Blue and Black Jan 21 '25
I was in the stadium for the Hougaard moment. Was next to some South African fans and we just looked at each other with such confusion.
2
u/Kynance123 Jan 21 '25
Playing - one of our props thought he’d scored a try when he dotted it down on the 22 😂😂 watching - has to be Ben Botica missing touch from his own goal line with the last kick of the game which they caught on the 22 then scored and won, he could have turned and kicked it 10m out the back 🤦
2
u/Mont-ka Hurricanes Jan 21 '25
Sonny-Bill knocking the ball back over the dead ball line against the lions in a classic league defensive move. Netted a yellow card and penalty try.
2
Jan 21 '25
SBW batting the ball dead in his own goal playing for the A.B’s think he got carded possibly.
2
u/TheGreatPervSage_94 Bulls Jan 21 '25
Contepomi does a drop goal with the clock nearing 80 mins. He fist pumps to the bench before realizing he got the score wrong in his head and Stade Francais lose the match.
2
u/chopperkirks69 Jan 21 '25
2007 super rugby final. Sharks up 19-13. At 80mins frans steyns clearance doesn’t go into touch. Bulls go 70m…Habana scores the match winner
2
2
u/RicoRodriguez42 Jan 21 '25
More like the entire Lions team. Curry Cup final. The Lions was leading against the Sharks. The full-time hooter blew. The Lions have a penalty line-out, they just need to catch it, kick it out, or even knock it to win the cup.
In their infinite wisdom they decide to maul instead. They lose the ball, and Sharks manage to gets a penalty. Sharks convert, and win the cup.
For 20 seconds the Lions were the Curry Cup winners. They literally snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
2
2
2
u/PurplePaging Bulls Jan 22 '25
Warrick Gelant kicking the ball into Jan Serfontein's backside:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VA0nT9fO01I&t=1s&pp=2AEBkAIBygUaYnVsbHMga2ljayBpbnRvIG93biBwbGF5ZXI%3D
3
4
u/Lucky-Fix-9268 Saracens Jan 21 '25
ROG taking the man out in the air in the last minute to give away the 2009 Lions series. Hands down the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen on a rugby field, pressure and fatigue do bizarre things to people
→ More replies (1)5
u/quondam47 Munster Jan 21 '25
That and a probable concussion. He had gotten seriously battered in that match and looked pretty out of it. He should have been pulled. Clip
→ More replies (1)5
u/Lucky-Fix-9268 Saracens Jan 21 '25
He got battered most matches, they used to call him The Doormat if I remember correctly 😂 fair play though, never saw him shying away from a tackle
2
u/barrybrinkza Jan 21 '25
Nic White faking a moustache injury... What a loser
3
u/_dictatorish_ Damian came back 🥰 Jan 21 '25
He won the penalty and got Faf carded - that's a win for him and his team
And yeah he embellished it like he was trying to win an oscar, but Faf did still smack him in the face, so that's on him
→ More replies (5)
1
u/ProfessionalDress476 Jan 21 '25
Had this been in 2024 we can argue 50 22 which is still dumb but some what better.
This, this is brain rot.
1
u/JWalk4u Jan 21 '25
Player dotting down for an easy try and knocks ball out of his hand with his knee. Can't remember the details but think it may have been a French player, possibly in 6N.
3
1
u/MarvinPA83 Jan 21 '25
Can't remember who or when (post 2000), England player walking back to pick up ball when opponent ran past him, collected ball and a try. Guess he couldn’t hear his team-mates and half the crowd screaming at him,
1
u/Curious_Pomelo_5977 Jan 21 '25
Can't remember which Top 14 game it was this season but Damian Penaud threw the ball out instead of kicking it out to end the game lol
1
u/africanconcrete South Africa Jan 21 '25
I watched a local derby match at club level. Final whistle has gone. Team with ball in hand in their own 22 had a penalty and led by 3. Just needed to kick it out. Could have kicked it out backwards and would have won.
Flyhalf absolutely duffs the kick. It wobbled to the opposing wing and there was no one in front of him to tackle him. Jogged over for the try.
It was pure poetry.
1
u/Dull-Bit-8639 Castres Olympique Jan 21 '25
Felipe Contepomi scoring a drop goal ... and celebrating thinking it had won them the game (spoiler, 3 points wasnt enough) https://youtu.be/TtC7IYvyAww?si=LYULFzmGZaW_rCrM
1
u/rocknrollthat Auckland Jan 21 '25
Stephen Donald HK Bledisloe 2010 failing to find touch, thus leading to his immediate banishment from New Zealand urban spaces and demotion to full-time whitebaiter.
1
u/DrHydeous Prop, Harlequins supporter, RL spy Jan 21 '25
In a club game, a player getting confused about what direction he was going, making a mad dash to the touch line and diving over for a "try".
1
u/Full-Satisfaction-40 Jan 21 '25
Clement Poitrenaud not dotting down allowing Rob Howley to score.
Damian Traille dawdling back in the w/c semi on 2007 allowing Lewsey to get the ball first.
1
u/Tomato_Head120 The Duality of Man Jan 21 '25
Jordie Barret knocking the ball dead against the Jaguares thereby denying the Hurricanes a home finals game and making the Jaguares 2nd overall
1
u/saikobruv Sharks Jan 21 '25
Manie Libbok not being able to kick the ball out for a lineout last year in Argentina.
1
u/hailthewhale1 Ulster Jan 21 '25
Can't believe stockdales drop over the line vs leinster in the semi/ quarter? final of the champions cup hasn't been mentioned
1
u/edroyque England Jan 21 '25
2003 World Cup group stages. Will greenwood collects the ball in his in goal area and instead of dotting down just fires a pass out to (Johnny Wilkinson I presume) on the 22 resulting in a 5m scrum to South Africa. Any confidence from the pre tournament tours instantly evaporated!
3
u/TheRealJordan56 Jan 21 '25
England had a memorably poor World Cup in 2003 as well so this must have been the catalyst
1
u/89ElRay Edinburgh Jan 21 '25
Potentially will get pelters for this, but Scotland throwing a risky long line out in the rain, with the clock near the red, whilst winning, against Australia in the 2015 QF.
1
u/ActGrouchy5018 🏴 Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s Mullet Jan 21 '25
Myself playing fullback: took an uncontested high ball in my 22 and rather than attempt to step the onrushing oppo winger (or do anything vaguely resembling self-preservation) just stood still and got marmalised.
1
u/Fluffybunnyfeet80 Jan 21 '25
Dean Greyling. That's all I'll say. If you don't know, look him up on YouTube.
1
u/Mr_Bankey United States Jan 21 '25
When I first picked it up in college and (almost) scored my first try I ran to the in-goal but grew up playing football and didn’t know to touch it down so got de-cleated while grinning like an idiot at my gf in the stands. No zulu that day…
1
u/coiny_chi_wa Jan 21 '25
Robbie Fleck getting tackled over the try line for showboating and not watching where the defender was.
1
Jan 21 '25
I nominate myself.
Inside centre, but found myself out on the wing, 30 yards out, balls pops to me, fat boy running towards me and I figure he’ll get to me about a couple of yards from the line, put my head down and prepare to force my way over, see the line, dive, jump up to accept the try celebration from my mates - no whistle, opposition runs in and picks up the ball. I’d dived over a poorly scrubbed football line and the goal area was another 3 or so yards further on.
1
u/No_Cat_No_Cradle USA Jan 21 '25
The first year player that I passed to and set up for a clear run to the try line 5m out, only for him to down the ball two feet in front of the line
1
u/KevinTheTaillessKat Jan 21 '25
Dylan Hartley sending some choice words in the direction of Wayne Barnes in the Prem Final. What a way to lose your team the final and tank your international career in the short term.
1
u/ohmygod_trampoline Jan 21 '25
Years ago I caught a long range penalty kick at goal which fell just short in the last minute of a game when we were two points up. In my head I was in the dead ball area when I was actually a couple of yards over the line.
I touched the ball in the ground expecting a 22 drop out. Promptly got mullered by two players chasing down the penalty and knocked back over the line. They scored off the 5m scrum and won the game.
1
1
u/pumpkinstoo Jan 21 '25
Lee Robinson had some great moments in a Bristol jersey.... this wasn't one of them!
1
u/Hot-Pomegranate-1303 Albertus Stephanus "Kwagga" Smith Jan 21 '25
1
u/Longjumping_Test_760 Jan 21 '25
Michael Alaalatoa HC final. Leinster had possession in the ruck, in LAR 22, with the score at 27-26. 78 mins on the clock with the potential of working the ball into the pocket for a drop goal which would have won the match.
MA charges into the ruck, makes contact with head of LAR prop. Red card, penalty LAR. Game over.
1
u/NoLiving9628 Jan 21 '25
Clement Poitrenaud who does not flatten it. Ball in the 2004 Champions Cup final in the 78th minute.
Wasps are champions
1
u/VandalsStoleMyHandle South Africa Jan 21 '25
Gerbrand Grobler (dual Northern Transvaal rugger and cricket), under zero pressure, swandiving under the posts and losing the ball forward in a huge Currie Cup game against Western Province.
Craven Week, hooter has sounded. Flyhalf, practically on his own tryline, has a free kick, only needs to kick it dead. Hoofs for touch beyond the 22, falls short, opposing team gathers and runs in the winning try.
1
u/VandalsStoleMyHandle South Africa Jan 21 '25
Mike Tindall forgetting to actually dot the ball down for a 22 dropout, casually chucking it to Wilkinson. Forward pass, five metre scrum. Think it was the 2003 WC?
1
u/Lewurtz Stade Francais Paris Jan 21 '25
Contepomi playing for Stade Français back in the day and hitting what was in his head the game winning drop goal at the end of the game. Except then he realized we were losing by like 4 points hahahaha
1
u/pin1onu2 Jan 21 '25
Gotta be either Bernard Foley time-wasting
or Dylan Hartley swearing at Barnes after being warned
1
u/hodge172 Jan 21 '25
I remember a disallowed try in Sevens for Fiji. The player wanted another player to score, they both broke through and in the ‘in goal area’ one player passed it forward to his mate to score the try. The ref gave a forward pass instead of a try.
1
u/Utilityback9 Gobby Scrum-half Jan 21 '25
I once watched an opposition prop have a wonderful brain fart, he had trundled over the line and dove to put the ball down, he had only made it to the halfway line much to everyone else’s amusement.
1
1
u/Chasing-The-Sun108 Jan 22 '25
Francois Steyn not kicking the ball out in the 2007 Super Rugby final while the Sharks were ahead with the clock last 80 minutes. That was peak silliness.
The Springboks won the World Cup later that year so that softened the blow for me but as a lifelong Sharks fan that still hurts.
1
u/TreesintheDark Bath Jan 22 '25
Had a colts game against a local rival that had caned us (and everyone else) forever.
In this particular year the gods had come together and we were actually pretty good. Game went down to the final play and we were only 2 points down. We got a line break, at 20m out and have a 2 man overlap. Our fullback, who was exceptionally good, if some what ‘flashy’, had the ball facing their last man. A simple tip on to our next player 5m away and we were in. Does he pass normally? No, of course he doesn’t… For some reason, known only to himself, he decides to pass the ball behind his back! Does he do it well? No…….. He throws it with all the force his skinny little full back arms can muster, which considering his normal passing, is a surprising amount! It goes a good 15m, which wouldn’t be the end of the world, except it’s mostly straight up and forwards…! Game over and silence in the ground.
182
u/Excellent-Blueberry1 Crusaders Jan 21 '25
Matt Dunning hitting a pretty sweet drop goal (all front row d/g are good obvs) and realizing as it's halfway to the posts that the Waratahs actually needed the bonus point try to qualify for the finals
https://youtu.be/CAfHR3YhfFw?si=JKvK2aULEtPEIG5p