Rugby league positions

A rugby league team consists of thirteen players plus four substitutes.

Overview

Many of the positions have similar names and requirements to Rugby union positions but there are no 'flankers' in rugby league.

Players on field are divided into "forwards" and "backs".

Forwards are generally chosen for their size and strength, although they are also expected to run with the ball and attack. They are required to do a lot of hard work — making openings for the backs. Most great forwards have been expert in the art of distributing the ball and not being greedy with the ball.

Backs are usually much smaller and faster but a big man who can run can be of great advantage in the backs. Often shorter players lacking in speed, become excellent hookers.

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 attempted on the first tackle.

Numbering

The numbering of positions is standardised, and is quite different to a Rugby Union side. The starting side will invariably wear the numbers corresponding to their positions, except in the case of substitutions.

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

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.

Differences in terminology between North and South

Five eighth, half back and lock are terms used in Australia and other Southern Hemisphere countries. The same positions are known as standoff, scrumhalf and loose forward in England and other Home Nations. The terms wing three quarters and centre three quarters are sometimes used instead of wing and centre.

Any positions with differing titles have been indicated as: {Northern hemisphere name} / {Southern hemisphere name}.

Backs

Fullback

This position calls for all-round ability. The fullback is the last-ditch line of defence, standing behind the main line of defence. They must be able to tackle any player who breaks the first line of defence, catch the majority of kicks made by the attacking side, ensuring possession is retained, and also, as they typically position themselves behind the first line of defence, they have a view of the entire line and can be expected to 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: Puig Aubert, Clive Churchill, Jim Sullivan, Anthony Minichiello, Paul Wellens, Billy Slater,.

See also: Fullback

Wing

Also known as wingers. There are two wingers in a Rugby League side, numbered 2 and 5, and generally they 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 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 on tackle 5, to assist the fullback in taking a kick.

Notable wings include: Brian Bevan, Martin Offiah, Brian Carney, Hazem El Masri, Ken Irvine, Billy Boston, Lesley Vainikolo, Eric Grothe, Matt King.

See also: Winger (sport)

Centre

There are two, numbered 3 and 4; 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. 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: Dally Messenger, Reg Gasnier, Steve Rogers, Dave Brown, Mal Meninga, Andrew Ettingshausen, Harold Wagstaff, Nigel Vagana, Michael Cronin, Martin Gleeson, Ryan Girdler, Jacques Merquey, Jamie Lyon, Paul Whatuira, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Keith Senior.

Stand-off / Five-eighth

Numbered 6, this player needs to be able to pass left and right accurately. A Stand-off/five-eighth needs to be a good and accurate play kicker, needs to have good communication with the halfback and the centre-three-quarters, needs to be able to throw long cut-out balls and have the vision to create something with the outside men. This player needs to be quick on their feet and to be strong when running the ball like a back rower. They must also be effective in avoiding tackles and must have good coordination with the wingers and centres. Most are smaller in size, but strength is required.

Notable five-eighths and stand-offs include: Benji Marshall, Wally Lewis, Bob Fulton, Brad Fittler, Terry Lamb, Darren Lockyer, Danny McGuire, Brett Kenny, Trent Barrett, Tom Symonds, Matthew Johns.

Scrum-half / Halfback

Numbered 7, the halfback or scrum-half is often one of the smaller players on the field. The halfback must be quick of mind, nippy 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 at a 'play the ball'.

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.

Notable halfbacks include: Andrew Johns, Stacey Jones, Tommy Bishop, Peter Sterling, Shaun Edwards, Allan Langer, Steve Mortimer, Johnathan Thurston, Iestyn Harris, Brett Kimmorley, Ricky Stuart.

Forwards

Hooker

The hooker, numbered 9, packs in the middle of the scrum. The hooker's primary role was formerly 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 uncontested scrummaging, the hookers position, like most forwards, has become far less meaningful. 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 it is the only forward to take on a specialist role outside of scrum play; known as dummy half.

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: Benny Elias, Danny Buderus, Keiron Cunningham, Cameron Smith, Steve Walters.

Dummy-half

The 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 known as 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 moves the position of the dummy-half greatly after every play.

When the tackled player plays the ball by rolling it under his foot, the dummy-half’s job is to pick it up and then has an important decision about the next play. Usually this means passing off the ground to the first receiver. Sometimes, though, dummy-halves will pick the ball up and go themselves if they see an opportunity within the opposition's defence. They can make breaks or set up play for supporting players.

Notable dummy-halves include: Danny Buderus, Craig Wing, Keiron Cunningham, Luke Priddis, Richard Swain.

Prop forwards

There are two props in rugby league, numbered 8 and 10, which pack in to the front of the scrum on either side of the hooker. The two props are usually the two biggest, strongest, heaviest players in the side. When scrums were competitive their strength was key to 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 tight-head 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 the responsibility of the hooker.

Props run upright with their head up, trying to run into space, keep an arm free for a strong fend, and look for support to offload in contact. They get noticed probably most when the team are in possession coming away from their own try line. They are expected to make “the hard yards”; going forward whilst 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.

Notable props include: Arthur Beetson, Cliff Watson, Ruben Wiki, Jason Stevens, Stuart Fielden, Paul Harragon, Shane Webcke, Paul Rauhihi, Luke Bailey, Petero Civoniceva, Jason Cayless, Steve Price, Nathan Cayless, Glenn Lazarus. barrie Mcdermott

Second-row forwards

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 set 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 pacey second rows who can run out wide alongside the centres. Indeed, some second rowers are converted centres.

Alternatively there are the powerful industrious second rows 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.

Notable second row forwards include: Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason, Adrian Morley, Harry Bath, Nathan Hindmarsh, Norm Provan, Gorden Tallis, Steve Menzies.

Loose forward / Lock forward

Numbered 13, the loose/lock forward is the final 'row' of players in the scrum, he "locks" 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 to set up the position for the forwards to re-group, and set up the next play. The loose/lock forward’s role 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 themself 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. Very often the game plan against a particular team can be indicated by the selection of the player for the loose/lock forward position. They can often make good leaders.

Notable loose forwards include: Johnny Raper, Andrew Farrell, Ray Price, Wally Prigg, Paul Sculthorpe, Ben Kennedy, Ellery Hanley, Luke Ricketson, Tonie Carroll.

Other terminology

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

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-eight/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.
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'.
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.

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