Room 101: Aaron Liffchak – Rosslyn Park prop

1. Rubbish barber chat
From childhood I have used the same barbers, but two years ago I moved to East London and I started getting my hair cut somewhere else. Frankly, the new guy does not come up to scratch conversation wise. I don’t expect a chatterbox or anything to that extent, just someone who can hold some form of conversation past the old, ‘what will you be having today, sir?’ Even just some topical chat about the news would go down well. I understand it takes two to tango, but trust me over the last two years I have tried to spark up countless conversations only for my attempts to fall on deaf ears.
TRP verdict:  Barbers chat is only a fringe benefit, you’re out.
2. Maccabiah Games ignorance
Every four years I play for the GB Maccabiah Rugby team and, frustratingly, every four years I have to explain what this is. So here goes…The Maccabiah Games is an international Jewish multisport event held in Israel and run by the Maccabi World Union. It is often referred to as the ‘Jewish Olympics‘. This year 9,000 competitors from more than 70 countries took part. The Maccabiah Games are the world’s third-largest international multi-sport sporting event after the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. The standard of rugby is around National One level and the competition includes teams from all corners of the globe such as America, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Israel and Canada.
It also attracts top players including current internationals and professionals from the Sevens and fifteen-a-side versions of the game helping to create a huge sense of excitement and anticipation every four years. We’re always on the lookout for new players!
TRP verdict:  Step up to the podium, you’re in.
3. Farting in the team huddle
I’m the first to acknowledge some rugby players are seen as somewhat ‘rough’ around the edges. But surely the unspoken rule of not farting in the pre-match team huddle must be kept sacred at all times and at all costs. Someone blowing a raspberry is the last thing you want when you’re trying to reach a crescendo of focus and intensity in preparation for the battle ahead.
TRP verdict:  Call that a trump card?! You’ve blown your chances, I’m afraid.