Rugby league positions

A typical rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench.

Overview

Players on field are divided into two general categories: "forwards" and "backs".

Forwards are generally chosen for their size and strength. They are also expected to run with the ball and attack. Often required to do a lot of hard work in matches, making openings for the backs and gaining metres in field position.

Backs are usually much smaller and faster, but a big man who can run can be of great advantage in the backs. Their roles require speed and ball-playing skills (rather than brute strength) to take advantage of the field position gained by the hard-working forwards.

Early in the tackle count the ball is commonly given to forwards to improve field position while not losing possession. After the play the ball, the dummy-half (often the hooker) may choose to run with the ball or pass it to another forward who will try to break the first tackle and gain as many metres as possible. Later in the tackle count the ball typically comes to the backs who, being faster than forwards, are able to make more metres and are more likely to score. However passing movements among the backs are more risky than forward play, which is why this is not normally preferred early in the tackle-count.

Numbering

The numbering of positions is standardised. The starting side will invariably wear the numbers corresponding to their positions, except in the case of substitutions and position shifts during the game.

The chart below shows these numbers alongside their positions. Forwards are above the line, and backs below.

positions

In addition to the thirteen on-field players, there are four replacement players. Usually, they will be numbered 14, 15, 16 and 17, although other numbers may be used.

Each player has their own number for the whole game, regardless of which position they play in. That is, if player number 14 replaces the fullback (for example), they will wear the number 14 for the whole game. They do not change shirts to display the number 1. The number a player wears will be for the position assigned to him before the match starts.

Prior to 1989 all Australian teams with the exception of the international team would use a unique numbering system confined only to Australia. The numbers for the backs were exactly the same as they are now but the numbers were different in the forward pack. Under this old numbering system the lock/loose forward would be number 8, the second rowers were 9 and 10, the prop forwards were 11 and 13 and the hooker was 12.

Other terminology

As well as their titles, the players' positions may be referred to by a range of other terms. These are outlined below.

Front rower(s) - The prop forwards and the hooker. They form the front row in a scrum. Often, only the prop forwards will be called 'front row forwards'.
Back row(er) - This refers to the second rowers and lock forward. This is because the three can almost be seen as a single row when in a scrum.
Halves - The two 'halves' are the five-eighth/stand-off, and the halfback/scrum-half.
Three-quarter(s) - Usually refers to centres. Occasionally, a winger may be called a three-quarter when they perform functions of a centre.
(Acting) Dummy half - As outlined in Hooker, is the player who picks up the ball after it is played by a tackled colleague. As any player can take this function at any given time, when they do so they may be called dummy-half.
First receiver - Whoever the dummy-half passes the ball to following a play-the-ball.
Second receiver - If the ball is passed immediately by the first receiver then the player catching it is sometimes referred to as the second receiver.

Differences in terminology

Five eighth, half back and lock are terms used in the Southern Hemisphere countries (including Australia and New Zealand). The same positions are known as standoff, scrumhalf and loose forward in the Northern Hemisphere (including England). The terms wing three quarters and centre three quarters are sometimes used instead of winger and centre.

(Any positions with differing titles have been indicated as: "Northern hemisphere name"/"Southern hemisphere name".)

Backs

Generally, the backline consists of comparatively smaller and faster men. Backs are often the most creative and evasive players on the field, preferring fine kicking, passing or manoeuvring skills, tactics and/or set plays to breach the defensive line in favour of brute force.

Fullback

Numbered 1, This position calls for all-round ball-playing ability. The fullback is the last-ditch line of defence, standing behind the main line of defenders. Fullbacks must be able to chase down and tackle any player who breaks the first line of defence and catch the majority of kicks made by the attacking side, ensuring possession is retained. As they are typically positioned behind the first line of defence and have a view of the entire line, good fullbacks will give orders to the other defending players, alerting them to fill possible holes and weaknesses in the line. Their role in attack is usually as a support player to take an offload and keep the ball alive, or to provide an overlap or a different angle of attack in the centre of the field.

Notable fullbacks include: Clive Churchill , Puig Aubert , Darren Lockyer , Jim Sullivan and Graeme Langlands .

See also: Fullback (rugby)

Wing

Also known as wingers. There are two wingers in a rugby league side, numbered 2 and 5, positioned on each side of the field. They generally should be the fastest players in the side, with the speed to finish a movement or open the game up along the right or left side of the field.

Wings need to be experts at taking bad passes as they often receive long passes from team-mates under pressure. They also need to spread across the back to provide defence. In the last decade or so, they have been called upon for the initial few hit-ups after a kick. They must also drop back, usually at the end of the tackle-count, to assist the fullback in receiving kicks.

Notable wings include: Ken Irvine , Martin Offiah , Brian Bevan , Billy Boston and Harold Horder

See also: Winger (sport)

Centre

There are two, numbered 3 and 4 and they're sometimes referred to as the three quarters. The centres run along the middle just inside the wings, and work with the wings and stand-off in driving the ball forwards. They have to be dependable, fast and be able to hit top speed quickly. Their ability to handle and pass must be above average and they must be able to tackle well. The job of the centre is to upset the opposition and make a breach for the winger to score. Traditionally centres as shown in the diagram played inside and outside, which still happens in rugby union. However the modern trend in rugby league for the last 20 years has been for centres to play left and right side, partnered with their teammates on the wings.

Notable centres include: Mal Meninga , Harold Wagstaff , Dally Messenger , Reg Gasnier Mark Gasnier and Steve Rogers .

Stand-off

Numbered 6, the Stand-off or Five-Eighth as well as the scrum-half/halfback (see below) make up the play-directing duo of "the halves". This position, sometimes referred to as 'pivot', is usually responsible for directing the ball to the rest of the team in attack and thus should be able to pass left and right-handed accurately. The five/eighth often needs to be able to lead the team, and guide the run of play. A good 5/8th is usually a good and accurate play kicker, has good communication with the halfback and the centre-three-quarters, is able to throw long cut-out passes and have the vision to create something in attack with the outside men. This player needs to be quick on his feet and to be strong when running the ball like a back rower. They must also be effective in making tackles as their position towards the middle of the field requires a heavy defensive workload.

Notable five-eighths/stand-offs include: Wally Lewis , Garry Schofield , Bob Fulton , Iestyn Harris and Brad Fittler

Scrum-half

Numbered 7, the halfback or scrum-half makes up the second portion of "the halves" duo. He is often one of the smaller players on the field. The halfback must be quick of mind, nippy, have good vision of who and where the ball needs to go to and be able to pass well. They must co-ordinate with the stand-off so the ball moves along the line to the wing three-quarters. The halfback is the player who feeds the scrum and runs around to collect it via the hooker. He is usually first receiver from a 'play the ball' and has well-developed kicking skills.

Over the years, the role of the halfback/scrum-half has become crucial in the organisation of play. Because of their ability to control and create play, many halfbacks are also captains of their side. ^{[dubious – discuss]}

The halfback/scrumhalf is the man with all the options and a good halfback/scrumhalf is one who utilizes his options effectively.

Notable halfbacks include: Andrew Johns , Stacey Jones , Sean Long , Peter Sterling Jonathan Thurston and Allan Langer .

Forwards

A team's forward pack consists of players who tend to be bigger and stronger than backs and as a general rule rely more on brute strength than playmaking skills.

Hooker

The hooker, numbered 9, packs in the middle of the scrum's front row. Traditionally, when the rules for rugby league resembled more closely those of rugby union, the hooker's primary role was to strike for the ball with his legs in the scrum and to throw the ball into line-outs. As the code abolished the line-out, and then began to allow less contested scrummaging, the hooker's position, like most forwards', has become far less meaningful outside of general play. Sometimes referred to as the "rake", the hooker is still expected to maintain weight and power for the now-rare occasions when a team attempts to win possession against the feed at a scrum.

Like most forwards, the hooker is a work-horse in defence but is also expected to use his weight and speed for less finesse-based runs into the teeth of opposing tacklers. However the hooker is unlike other forwards because he is the only forward to take on a specialist role outside of scrum play; known as dummy half.

Of all forwards, the hooker's role most resembles that of a backline player. The playmaking duties of the hooker has encouraged some clubs to play a half back in the role. The problem with this is that the hooker stands in the middle of the field with the forwards and has some tough defensive duties to perform. This can leave converted half backs very tired.

Notable hookers include: Danny Buderus , Max Krilich , Cameron Smith , Steve Walters and Ken Kearney

Dummy-half

The acting half or dummy-half was introduced through the introduction of the play-the-ball rule, prior to 1907. The dummy-half is responsible for the collection of the ball, on the completion of the play-the-ball. The hooker has become almost synonymous with dummy-half, perhaps because of his prior duties in the scrum and the line-out. However any player on the field can play the role of the dummy-half, which is often the case, given the speed of modern rugby league which can move the position of the dummy-half greatly after every play.

When the tackled player plays the ball by rolling it back with his foot, the dummy-half’s job is to pick it up and then make a decision about the next play. Usually this means selecting which of his teammates will be the "first receiver" and passing off the ground to him. Sometimes, though, dummy-halves will pick the ball up and go themselves if they see an opportunity within the opposition's defence.

Prop forward

There are two props in rugby league, numbered 8 and 10, which pack in to the front row of the scrum on either side of the hooker. Sometimes referred to as the "bookends", the two props are usually the two biggest players on a team. When scrums were competitive their strength was key in winning possession. In the modern game their strength is more useful in the tackle or as a ball carrier. However, it is still possible for an alert prop to help his side win a scrum against the feed by striking for the ball in conjunction with a drive from the rest of the pack. Formerly, striking for the ball was primarily the responsibility of the hooker.

Props often run upright with their head up, trying to run into space, but usually directly into tacklers, trying to attarct defenders for the benefit of teammates or break through with sheer force. A good prop will try to keep an arm free for a strong fend, and look to offload the ball to a support player from the tackle. They get noticed probably most when the team are in possession coming away from their own territory. They are expected to make “the hard yards”; going forward while being gang-tackled by 2, 3 or even 4 of the opposition. Tactically they may either go down quickly when tackled and look for a quick play the ball, or when in an attacking position stand up in the tackle and offload the ball to a supporting player to switch the point of attack or create a gap to run through.

Few prop forwards play the full game time of 80 minutes. They are regularly substituted to keep them fresh and powerful. The 4 substitutes on the bench invariably have 3 or even 4 forward replacements to keep momentum high throughout a match.

Notable props include: Arthur Beetson , Ruben Wiki , Cliff Watson , Glenn Lazarus Willie Mason and Jamie Peacock .

Second-row forward

Second row forwards are numbered 11 and 12, and make up the second row of the scrum. They are mobile, active players who make a lot of runs and do a lot of tackling, and often play a large role in setting the pace of the game.

There are many different styles of play amongst second rowers, and selection of certain players indicates the sort of game the coach wants to play, and he can change game strategy during the game by substitutions of players with different styles. A fast, attacking game is characterised by the selection of quick, elusive second rowers who can run out wide alongside the centres. Indeed, some second rowers are converted centres.

Alternatively there are the powerful, industrious second rowers who are typically the workhorses of the team. Operating just off the middle of the line, often at second or third receiver, they are involved in seemingly everything – most tackles, taking the ball up, or supporting any break. Sometimes they are even asked to go up the middle and play prop.

Also, many second rowers employ a strong offloading game. Many teams like to send a good offloading second rower running down the same side as the dangerous running centres and wingers who feed off the space provided. This has led some second rowers to be amongst the best ball-handlers on their teams.

Notable second-row forwards include: Gorden Tallis , Hugh McGahan , Denis Betts , Harry Bath and Norm Provan

Loose Forward

Numbered 13, the "loose" or "lock" forward maked up the final 'row' of players in the scrum, "locking" the two second-rowers in place (hence the name 'lock').

It is common for the five-eight/stand-off to run straight at the defensive line directly from a scrum win to set up the position for the forwards to re-group, and start the next phase of play. The loose/lock forward’s role in the defensive side is therefore to quickly move away from the back of the scrum, and make the first tackle. In an attacking scrum they will sometimes pick the ball up themselves and run, taking pressure from the halfback/scrum half.

A loose/lock forward has the widest scope of roles and responsibilities of any player in the forward pack. As well as co-ordinating the defensive effort in the forwards, in attack they will need to be a creative player with the vision and skill to set up play from first receiver from the play the ball, and provide another option from the half backs. On other occasions, loose forwards are strong running players who simply perform the role of another second rower. Many notable locks also play at five-eighth. they also perform a lot of the tackling duties.

Notable loose forwards include: Bradley Clyde , Andrew Farrell , Johnny Raper , Ellery Hanley and Wally Prigg .