The IShowSpeed travelling roadshow has hit the Gold Coast, with the internet sensation getting a rude awakening on what rugby league is really like.
The YouTube star with over 30 million subscribers has been exploring Australia and capturing his adventures in an In Real Life (IRL) stream at various locations. His initial videos have showcased Sydney and New Zealand.
This week he found himself on the Gold Coast in Queensland, deciding to test his mettle against some promising young rugby league players.
During his Australian travels, the YouTuber teamed up with the Burleigh Bears, a feeder club associated with the Brisbane Broncos. The team is under the guidance of former NRL star Chris Walker, with retired NRL star Jarrod Wallace also making an appearance at the event.
Speed and Wallace were named captains and chose their respective teams from the young Burleigh players.Â
It was a perfect start to Speed’s rugby league career, dashing over for a try and celebrating enthusiastically with his new teammates.
But opposing captain Wallace was not pleased.
‘Don’t go soft on him, don’t let him score,’ he fumed.
However it didn’t take long for the pace of the game and the Queensland humidity to catch up.
‘We’re playing rugby league baby, we back it up, straight back up,’ Wallace said, pushing him back toward the line.Â
‘Is there no celebration time out?’ he asked, gasping for breath.
‘Nah we don’t get celebrations my friend,’ Wallace replied with a grin.
The YouTube star also got a taste of what it was like on the defensive side of the ball, choosing to take on Wallace one on one.
He predictably came off second best, Wallace giving him a big ‘don’t argue’ fend and sending him flying through the air and onto the ground.
‘You’re so damn big bro!’ Speed said as he picked himself back up.
One of his young supporters came to the rescue, offering him a snack from his back of Cheese and Bacon Shapes.
A bemused Speed had never seen the iconic Australian biscuits before, but was happy to give them a sample.
‘What the f*** is this?’ Speed asked.
‘Shapes, take the rest of them,’ the kid replied.
Speed reacted immediately to the strong taste and wanted to learn more about the Australian fare.
But Wallace was having none of it.
‘They’re called Shapes, you can have them after,’ he said, again pushing Speed back into the line to restart play.
‘This is too fast paced,’ Speed puffed.
‘We good, we good.’
Despite his enthusiasm and active participation, the YouTube personality displayed some unfamiliarity with the rules of the game. During one instance, he attempted to continue running after a tackle had been completed and inadvertently collided with a player in the air, indicating a need to familiarize himself further with the game’s regulations.
His famed speed was never in question either, but his endurance was as Speed was left sucking in the big ones on the sidelines before they took a break after just five minutes of play.
‘How you feeling?’ Walker asked.
Speed ignored the question, calling for an NFL-style huddle to regroup and start again.
‘What we’re going to do now, we’re going to give Speed a bit of a rest,’ Walker told the players.
‘When Speed is ready to get the ball again, we’re going to give him the ball.’
They also made the decision to make the field smaller to reduce fatigue.
‘So we’ve got seven each side, we’ll stay real tight,’ Wallace said.
That was a relief to Speed, who was furiously knocking back water bottles, ‘this field is way too big,’ he said.
‘I’m already gassed … but I just worked out today, that’s why,’ he added.
‘You did just come from Movie World too, it’s hot, it’s raining, not enough water, you just got off a flight,’ Wallace replied.
‘I’ve been training every day,’ Speed assured his viewers.
‘You’re looking swole, you just need to get that endurance back into you,’ Wallace said.
