The weekend clash between Cardiff Blues and Leinster at the Arms Park saw Jarrad Hoeata horrifically mistime his tackle on Irish fullback, Rob Kearney.The Kiwi lock nearly took the Louth man’s head off with a swinging close line. Hoeata was shown a red card and fortunately, Rob Kearney, was not injured, much to relief of Ireland’s women. But what other tackles have ended up going completely wrong.
Keith Earls
On Irish rugby’s darkest night Munster wing, Keith Earls, was put into next week by Hosea Gear. Ireland were already 36-0 when the All Blacks were first to the ball from an overthrown lineout and the ball was whipped wide. Centre, Conrad Smith, unleashed Gear on the outside and the Maori man exploded past Fergus McFadden. Earls doing what any good winger would, sprinting across the field to make the tackle. Unfortunately, the Moyross man was disdainfully fended off. Boom!
Ireland v Wales, 2011
It was a World Cup quarter-final in Wellington and it wasn’t going according to plan for the boys in green. 15-10 down with less than 20 minutes to go, Ireland’s dreams were slipping away before Welsh centre, Jonathan Davies, got his ball in his hands and ended them completely. Tackle him Earlsy! Get him Church! Stop him Rob! Catch him Eoin! ONE OF YOUS TACKLE HIM! Or don’t!
Sitveni Sivivatu
The All Blacks’ wing was in action for the Chiefs against the Cheetahs in Hamilton. JW Yonker was in possession and Siviatu decided the Cheetahs centre was going nowhere. Perhaps he misinterpreted and thought they were going for a Dirty Dancing moment. What is brilliant is the winger’s face when he is sent to the sin bin, “What are you talking about ref?”
Mike Catt
Jonah Lomu took it upon himself to beat England on his own in the World Cup Semi-final in 1995. He powered past Rob Andrew and Will Carling and then for Mike Catt. Catt, a South African, probably wanted to show everyone what the Springboks were missing. Lomu had other ideas. “Get out of my way!”
Leon Bott
Playing in the Shute Shield in Australia, Leon Bott was showing how eager he was to chase the scrumhalf’s box kick. However, Bott slightly mistimes his tackle, hitting the opposing player a week early.
Ronan O’Gara
The 2nd Lions’ test in Pretoria, Rodge provided coaches all around the world with footage of how not to tackle. In his first tackle, he sustained a knock to the head. Second, Jacques Fourie powered through the Munster man to score in at the corner to give South Africa the lead. And of course, the final tackle. Rodge kick it out and take the draw! O’Gara kick it out! RONAN KICK IT OUT! Oh you f**king idiot!
Fritz Lee
Playing for Counties Manukau, Lee had his Lord of the Rings moment. You shall not pass!
Just some the worst attempts at tackling ever on a rugby field. Can you think of any other examples?
By Matt Cassidy
@Cass_maitias
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