Rod coupling having a sacrificial element

A coupling system for boring rod segments, comprising:

• a plurality of rigid boring rod segments, each of the boring rod segments having a first end including a first wall defining a first recess formed therein, and a second end including a second wall defining a second recess formed therein;
• a sacrificial element having first and second coupling ends, the first coupling end defining a first journal removably engaged with the first recess of a boring rod segment and the second coupling end defining a second journal removably engaged with the second recess of another boring rod segment for connecting the boring rod segments;
• wherein the first journal of the first coupling end is shaped such that it is insertable into the first recess when oriented in a first angular position, translatable along a first portion of the first recess in an axial direction of the boring rod segment and into a second portion of the first recess, and constrained from motion in the axial direction of the boring rod segment in the second portion of the first recess when oriented in a second angular position distinct from the first angular position;
• wherein the second journal of the second coupling end is shaped such that it is insertable into the second recess when oriented in a first angular position, translatable along a first portion of the second recess in an axial direction of the boring rod segment and into a second portion of the first recess, and constrained from motion in the axial direction of the boring rod segment in the second portion of the second recess when oriented in a second angular position distinct from the first angular position.