Rugby union positions - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

, there are fifteen players on each team, comprising eight forwards (numbered 1 to 8) and seven backs (numbered 9 to 15). Depending upon the competition, there may be up to eight replacement players. Early games consisted primarily of forwards that attacked plus a handful of "tends" that played back in defence. As the game became more sophisticated, different positions developed and jersey numbers were instituted to differentiate them. Players are not restricted to any single position on the field, although they generally specialise in just one or two that suit their skills and body types. The scrum

Scrum (rugby)

Scrum , in the sports of rugby union and rugby league, is a way of restarting the game, either after an accidental infringement or when the ball has gone out of play...

(a huddle used to restart play), however must consist of eight players (providing a team still has fifteen on the field); three in the front row, two in the second, and another three loosely at the edges of the formation.

The positions as named by the International Rugby Board

International Rugby Board

The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...

are fullback, wing (left and right), centre (inside and outside), fly-half, scrum-half, number eight, flanker (openside and blindside), lock, hooker and prop (loosehead and tighthead). The names have changed over time and with geography. Early names such as "three quarters" and "out-halves" are still used by some people, while in New Zealand the fly-half and inside centre are called "first-five eighth" and "second-five eighth" respectively, while the scrum-half is known as the half-back. The "tight five" consists of the props, locks and hooker; the "loosies" are the number eight and flankers; the "inside backs" are the scrum-half, fly-half and inside centre; and the "out-side backs" are the outside centre, wings and fullback.

The backs play behind the forwards and are usually smaller and faster. Successful backs are skillful at passing and kicking. Fullbacks need to be good defenders and have safe hands to field kicks. The wingers are usually the fastest players in a team and score many of the team's tries

Try

A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...

. The main attacking role of the centres is to commit defenders, so providing space for the wingers to run. The fly-half is a good kicker and generally directs the backline. The scrum-half retrieves the ball from the forwards and needs a quick and accurate pass to get the ball to the backs. Forwards compete for the ball in scrums and lineouts and are generally bigger and stronger than the backs. Props push in the scrums, while the hooker tries to "hook" the ball. Locks are tall and jump for the ball at the lineout after the hooker has thrown it in. The flankers and number eight should be the first forwards to a tackle and play an important role in securing possession of the ball for their team.

Overview

There are up to fifteen players from each team on a rugby field at one time. The players position at the start of the game is indicated by the number on the back of their shirts

Rugby shirt

A rugby shirt, often referred to as a rugby jersey, is a shirt worn by players of rugby union or rugby league. It usually has short sleeves, though long sleeves are common as well....

, one to fifteen. In international matches there are seven substitutes that can replace an on field team member. The substitutes, numbered sixteen to twenty-two, can either take up the position of the player they replace or the on-field players can be shuffled to make room for this player in another position. There are no personal squad number

Squad number

In team sports, the squad number, shirt number, jersey number, sweater number, uniform number or simply a number is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms...

s as a versatile player's position and number can be changed from one game to the next. Players can also change positions with players on the field during the match, and as long as the laws are followed any player can change positions with another player during the match. Common examples are the fly half playing the fullback's position in defence or a prop taking the hooker's position at lineouts. The positions are divided into two main categories; forwards (numbered one to eight) and backs (numbered nine to fifteen).

Different positions on the field suit certain skill sets and body types, generally leading to players specialising in one or two positions. Each position has certain roles to play on the field, although most have been established through convention rather than law. During general play, as long as they are not offside

Offside (rugby)

In rugby football, the offside rule prohibits players from gaining an advantage from being too far forward. The specifics of the rule differ between the two major codes.-Rugby union:Offside rules in rugby union are complex...

, the players can be positioned anywhere on the field. It is during the set pieces, scrum

Scrum (rugby union)

In rugby union a scrum is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement. It involves up to eight players from each team, known as the pack or forward pack, binding together in three rows and interlocking with the free opposing teams forwards. At this point the ball is fed into the gap...

and lineout, when the positions are enforced. At lineouts there must be at least two players from each team lined up five metres from where the ball crossed the side line. They form two straight lines next to each other and a player from the team awarded the lineout throws the ball between them. A player from each team stands two metres from the lineout and the opposing team must also have someone standing two metres from the player throwing the ball in. The remainder of the team must be positioned at least ten metres back from the lineout. While anyone on the field can be part of a lineout, it is generally composed of forwards. The usual situation involves the hooker throwing the ball in, aiming for the locks that are lifted into the air by the props. The scrum-halves are usually positioned near the lineout ready to receive the ball once the forwards have gained possession.

Each team must have eight players in the scrum, unless for some reason (i.e. a send off or injury) they cannot field fifteen players. The props (1 and 3) bind on either side of the hooker (2) to form the front row of the scrum. The two locks (4 and 5) bind together and push on the props and the hooker. The flankers (6 and 7) bind to the side of the scrum and the number eight (8) pushes on the locks or a lock and a flanker. Once each team has formed its half of the scrum the two front rows are brought together under the command of the referee. The scrum-half puts the ball into the middle of the scrum and then retrieves it from under the number eight's feet if it is successfully won. The remainder of the team must be positioned at least five meters back from the scrum. If a team cannot field eight in the scrum it can drop the flankers or the number eight, but must keep the props, hooker and lock positions.

History

During early rugby union games there were only really two positions; most players were in the forwards, who formed part of the scrimmage (which later was called "scrummage" and then "scrum"), and a few defensive "tends" (from "goaltenders"). Eventually, the attacking possibilities of playing close behind the scrimmage were recognised. The players who stationed themselves between the forwards and tends became known as "half-tends". Later it was observed that the players outside scrimmage were not limited to a defensive role, so the tends and half-tends were renamed "backs" and "half backs". As the game became more sophisticated the backs positioned at different depths behind the forwards. They were further differentiated into half backs, three quarters (the fraction 3/4) back, and full back. Specialised roles for the scrum also evolved with "wing- forward" (modern day flankers) being employed to protect the half back. The first international between England and Scotland was played in 1871 and consisted of twenty players on each side: thirteen forwards, three half backs, one three quarter and three fullbacks. The player numbers were reduced to fifteen in 1877. Numbers were added to the backs of players jerseys in the 1920s, initially as a way for coaches and selectors to rate individual players.

Names of positions

The various positions have changed names over time and many are known by different names in other countries. Players in the flanker positions were originally known as "wing forwards", while in the backs,"centre three-quarter" and "wing three-quarter" were used to describe the outside centre and wing respectively (although the terms are still sometimes used in the Northern Hemisphere) The International Rugby Board

International Rugby Board

standard names tend to reflect Northern Hemisphere usage although fly-half is still often known as "outside half" or "stand-off half" in Britain, and "outhalf" in Ireland. In New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

the scrum-half is still referred to as the "half-back", the fly-half is referred to as the "first five-eighth", the inside centre is called the "second five-eighth" and the outside centre is simply known as "centre". In America and Canada the number 8 is known as "8 man".

Collective terms are also used to describe similar positions, with the props and hookers combining to form the "front row", the locks the "second row" and the flankers and number 8 the "loose forwards" or the "loosies". The front row and second row combined are collectively termed the "tight five". In the backs "half backs" can be used to describe the scrum half and fly-half, the "inside backs" to describe the scrum half, fly-half and inside center, "midfield" for the fly half and both centres and "outside backs" for the outside centre, wings and fullback. The two props are distinguished by being either a "tighthead" (their head is positioned between the opposition prop and hooker) or "loosehead" (their head is positioned on the outside of the scrum). The "blindside flanker" binds to the scrum on the side closest to the side line, while the "openside flanker" binds on the side with the most space between the scrum and the sideline. Wingers usually stick to one side of the field and are termed "left wing" or "right wing".

Fullback

Fullbacks normally position themselves several metres behind the back line. They field any opposition kicks and are often the last line of defence should an opponent break through the back line. On attack they can enter the back line, usually near the centres or wings, with the aim of providing an extra person and overlapping the defending players. Two of the most important attributes of a good fullback are a safe pair of hands and a good kicking game. The fullback is the player most likely to field the high ball

Bomb kick

An up and under is a type of kick in various codes of football. It is a high short punt onto or behind the defending team is a useful tactic both for attacking and defending...

or "up and unders" kicked by the opposition. Good hands are needed to ensure the ball is caught cleanly to deny the opposition the chance to regain possession. As the fullback will inevitably catch the ball deep in their own territory with little support from their own players the best option will be to kick the ball downfield. A long and accurate kick will gain more ground and reduce the pressure on the team. As they are the last line of defence a solid tackle is also important.

To provide effective cover behind the defensive line good fullbacks are careful not to get caught out of position and must anticipate the opposition's play. Their position behind the back line allows them to see any holes in the defensive line and they either communicate with the backs to close the gaps up or cover the gaps themselves. The fullback has the most potential for attacking the opposition, especially from a misdirected kick. If a kick is fielded and there is enough space and support the fullback may decide to counterattack by running the ball back towards the opposition. Due to their kicking skills, in some teams the fullback is also responsible for taking the goal kicks.
Notable fullbacks include Serge Blanco

Serge Blanco

Serge Blanco is a former rugby union footballer who played fullback for Biarritz Olympique and the French national side, gaining 93 caps, 81 of them at fullback. His alternative position was wing....

who scored 38 tries in 93 tests for France

France national rugby union team

The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...

and was known for his counterattacking ability. In 1997 Serge Blanco was among the inaugural set of rugby players inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame

International Rugby Hall of Fame

The International Rugby Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for rugby union. It was created in 1997 in New Zealand and is run as a charitable trust with an address at Chiswick in London. Most of the trustees are also inductees. IRHOF accepts new inductees every two years...

and in 2011 he was also inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame

IRB Hall of Fame

The IRB Hall of Fame is a hall of fame operated by the International Rugby Board that recognises special achievement and contribution to the sport of rugby union. The IRB Hall of Fame covers players, coaches, administrators, match officials, institutions and other individuals...

. Four fullbacks who played for the British and Irish Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

are in the International Rugby Hall of Fame; Gavin Hastings

Gavin Hastings

Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...

and Andy Irvine

Andy Irvine (rugby player)

Andrew Robertson "Andy" Irvine MBE is a former President of the Scottish Rugby Union , and a former Scottish international rugby player. He earned fifty one Scottish caps, and scored over 250 points for .-Background:...

from Scotland

Scotland national rugby union team

The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...

, Tom Kiernan

Tom Kiernan

Thomas Joseph Kiernan is a former Ireland international rugby union player. He won 54 caps for Ireland as a full-back between 1960 and 1973 and captained his country 24 times. At the time of his retirement he was Ireland's most-capped player, most experienced captain and record scorer in...

from Ireland

Ireland national rugby union team

The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...

and JPR Williams from Wales

Wales national rugby union team

The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...

. Hastings and Irvine were accurate goal kickers and Kiernan is credited with being the first attacking full back in Irish rugby. Williams was chosen as the greatest lions fullback at the inaugural Lions Legends Dinner at Lord's in 2008 and is praised for his safety under the high ball, tackling and calm decision making. The other fullbacks in the International Rugby Hall of Fame are Don Clarke

Don Clarke

Donald Barry Clarke was a New Zealand rugby union player who played 89 times as a New Zealand international from 1956 until 1964...

and George Nepia

George Nepia

George Nepia was a Māori rugby union and rugby league player. He is remembered as an exceptional full-back and one of the most famous Māori rugby players. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2004 he was selected as number 65 by the panel of the New Zealand's Top...

from New Zealand. Clarke, nicknamed "the boot", was an accurate goal kicker and Nepia was noted for his tackling and kicking ability.

Wing

The wings are generally positioned on the outside of the backline with the number 11 on the left and the number 14 on the right. Their primary function is to finish off moves and score tries. Wingers are usually the fastest players in the team and are either elusive runners, or more recently big, strong and able to break tackles. The skills needed for the left wing and right wing are similar, although left-footed players are usually played on the left wing as they can step and kick better off their left foot. The winger on the blindside often "comes off the wing" to provide an extra man in the midfield, in the same vein as a fullback. One or both wingers will usually drop back on opposition kicks to give the fullback extra options for counterattacking.
Notable wings over the years are David Campese

David Campese

David Ian Campese , also known as Campo, is a former Australian rugby union player. Campese was capped by the Wallabies 101 times, and held the world record for the most tries in test matches until Daisuke Ohata scored his 65th try playing for Japan on 14 May 2006...

who played 101 times for Australia and held the world record for most tries in test matches, and was famous for his goose step and reverse pass. Welsh international Gerald Davies

Gerald Davies

Thomas Gerald Reames Davies CBE is one of the acknowledged greats of Welsh rugby, playing for the side between 1966 and 1978.-Biography:...

was influential in helping the British Lions become the only Lions touring party to win a Test series in New Zealand. Ieuan Evans

Ieuan Evans

Ieuan Evans is a former rugby union footballer who played on the wing for Wales. He is regarded as one of the best Welsh wingers of all time, despite playing through a disappointing era of Welsh rugby. A prolific try scorer at International level, Evans is listed 19th in the world on the all-time...

played 72 games for Wales and scored 33 tries - at that time a record for Wales. In 1994 International Rugby Hall of Famer John Kirwan retired as the (then) most capped player and highest try scorer in All Black history, while Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu

Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union player. He had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. He has had a huge impact on the game...

, who would enter the International Hall in 2007 and the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011, debuted as the youngest ever All Black. Tony O'Reilly

Tony O'Reilly

Sir Anthony Joseph Francis O'Reilly is an Irish businessman and former international rugby union player. He is known for his involvement the Independent News & Media Group, which he led from 1973 to 2009, and as former CEO and Chairman of the H.J. Heinz Company. He was the leading shareholder of...

, also a successful businessman, played wing for Ireland between 1955 and 1970 and scored a record 38 tries on two lions tours. André Boniface

André Boniface

André Boniface is a former international rugby union player for France. His usual position was either on the wing or in the centres. His Test career for France, 1954 through to 1966, included 48 caps and 44 points. Boniface was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2005...

is a French international that is a member of both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and the IRB Hall of Fame. Also in the IRB Hall of Fame is Bill Maclagan

Bill Maclagan

William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....

, a 19th-century player for Scotland and the Lions who played at three-quarters, which eventually evolved into the modern position of wing. Another 2011 inductee in the IRB Hall is Brian Lima

Brian Lima

Brian Lima is a former Samoan rugby union footballer who was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011. Originally a wing, Lima moved into centre for Manu Samoa as his pace lessened, but he remained a formidable player throughout his career.He earned the memorable nickname of "The Chiropractor"...

of Samoa

Samoa national rugby union team

The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...

, who played most of his career on the wing but ended it as a centre. He participated in five World Cups for Manu Samoa and became known as "The Chiropractor" for his ferocious tackling.

Centre

There are two centres in a game of rugby, inside centre (number 12) and outside centre (number 13). The inside centre usually stands close to the fly half or at first receiver on the other side of the scrum or breakdown. Like the fly half they generally possess a good kicking game and are good at reading the play and directing the attack. The outside centre is positioned outside the inside centre and is generally the faster of the two. The centres main role is to provide space for the men outside them. They need to run good lines, have good passing skills and should be able to offload in a tackle. When the ball is moved along the opposition backline the centres are the first players to make the tackle. They need to be solid tacklers and good at organising the defensive lines. Outside centres generally have more room to move than inside centres. Centres also provide support at the breakdowns and can run as decoys to confuse the defence.
Danie Gerber

Danie Gerber

Danie Gerber is a former South African rugby union player, who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992. Playing mainly at centre, he won only 24 caps for South Africa despite playing internationally for 12 years because of South Africa's sporting isolation caused by apartheid...

played centre for South Africa

South Africa national rugby union team

The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...

during the apartheid era and even though he was only able to play 24 tests over 12 years, he scored 19 tries. Mike Gibson played for Ireland and the Lions and his record of 69 caps for Ireland lasted for 26 years. Tim Horan

Tim Horan

Tim Horan AM is a former Australian rugby union footballer. He played for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12, and represented Australia, he was one of the best centres in the world throughout the 1990s due to his attacking prowess, formidable defence and playmaking ability.As well as inside...

won two World Cups

Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....

for Australia, being named the Player of the Tournament in 1999

1999 Rugby World Cup

The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...

. As a player Ian McGeechan

Ian McGeechan

Sir Ian Robert McGeechan OBE is a Scottish former rugby union player and coach. His nickname is "Geech".-Playing career:...

won 32 caps for Scotland and went on two Lions tours, while as a coach he led the Lions a record four times. Welsh centre Gwyn Nicholls

Gwyn Nicholls

Erith Gwyn Nicholls was a Welsh rugby union player who gained 24 caps for Wales as a centre. Nicholls was known as the "Prince of Threequarters"....

played from 1896 to 1906 and was known as the "Prince of Threequarters". Other centres in the International Rugby Hall of Fame are Jo Maso

Jo Maso

Jo Maso is a former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played centre for Narbonne, Toulonnais, Perpignan and France, gaining 25 caps. His alternative position was fly-half...

and Philippe Sella

Philippe Sella

Philippe Sella is a French former rugby union player, who held the record for most international appearances until beaten by Jason Leonard. He became a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1999, and the IRB Hall of Fame in 2008.Sella joined Saracens in 1996 from French side Agen...

from France, known for their flamboyant attacking play. Gibson and Sella are also in the IRB Hall of Fame. Two centres are in the IRB Hall but not the International Hall—Frank Hancock

Frank Hancock

Francis Escott "Frank" Hancock was an English-born rugby union centre who played club rugby for Somerset and Cardiff and international rugby for Wales. Hancock is best known as being the sport's first fourth threequarter player, which changed the formation of rugby union play that lasts to the...

, a 19th-century Welsh player whose skills led to the creation of the modern two-centre formation, and Guy Boniface

Guy Boniface

Guy Boniface was a French Rugby union footballer that represented France in 35 Tests.Born in Montfort-en-Chalosse, Aquitaine, he mainly played at centre, and played for Stade Montois and U.S. Montfortoise. He won the French Championship with Stade Montois in 1963, and was runner up with them in 1959...

, French international and younger brother of André.

Fly-half

A fly-half is crucial to a team's game plan. They are usually the first to receive the ball from the scrum-half following a breakdown, lineout or scrum and need to be decisive with what actions to take and be effective at communicating with the outside backs. Good fly-halfs are calm, clear thinking and have the vision to direct effective attacking plays. Fly-halfs need good passing and kicking skills. Often the fly-half is the best kicker in the team and needs to be able to execute attacking kicks such as up-and-unders, grubbers and chip kicks as well as being able to kick for territory. Many fly-halfs are also the team's goal kickers.
Fly-halves in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include Welshman Phil Bennett

Phil Bennett

Phillip Bennett was a Welsh international rugby union fly half from 1969 to 1978. His flair and range of tricks, including his famous sidestep and swerve, meant he was a firm favourite with crowds.-Rugby career:...

who unleashed two great sidesteps to set up what some have described as "the greatest try of all time". South African Naas Botha scored 312 points (including a record 17 drop goals) despite playing most of his career when the Springboks were boycotted. Australia's Mark Ella

Mark Ella

Mark Gordon Ella is an Indigenous Australian former rugby union player, often considered as one of his country's all-time greats in that sport. In a relatively short career , Mark Ella established himself as one of the all-time greats in world rugby union...

wasn't a great kicker, but had great vision, passing skills and orchestrated a new flat-back attacking style. Grant Fox

Grant Fox

Grant James Fox is a former rugby union player from New Zealand. He was born in New Plymouth. He attended Auckland Grammar school....

was one of the most respected goal-kickers who scored more than 1000 points in all matches for New Zealand. Barry John

Barry John

Barry John is a former Welsh rugby union fly-half who played, during the amateur era of the sport, in the 1960s and early 1970s. John began his rugby career as a schoolboy playing for his local team Cefneithin RFC before switching to first-class west Wales team Llanelli RFC in 1964...

was known simply as "the king" to Welsh rugby fans and was rated the third in the 1971 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award is the titular award of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, which takes place each December. The winner is the sportsperson, adjudged by a public vote, to have achieved the most that year. The recipient must either be British or reside and...

. Jack Kyle

Jack Kyle

John Wilson Kyle OBE , commonly referred to as Jack Kyle or Jackie Kyle, is a former rugby union player who played for Ireland, the British Lions and the Barbarians during the 1940s and 1950s...

is widely considered Ireland's greatest player. Michael Lynagh

Michael Lynagh

Michael Lynagh is a former Australian rugby union footballer who played as a Fly-half.Lynagh represented Australia from 1984 to 1995, playing at both inside centre and fly half. Lynagh was capped 72 times for Australia, and was captain from 1993 to 1995. He was the world points scoring record...

took over Fly-half from Ella and in his first test in that position scored an Australian record of 23 points against Canada. While Cliff Morgan

Cliff Morgan

Cliff Morgan is a former Welsh rugby union player who played for Cardiff RFC and earned 29 caps for Wales between 1951 and 1958.-Rugby career:...

captained Wales and played for the Lions, he is also known as great rugby personality and an accomplished rugby broadcasters. Bennie Osler

Bennie Osler

Benjamin Louwrens Osler was a rugby union footballer who played internationally for South Africa. Osler played mainly at fly-half for both South Africa, and his provincial team of Western Province....

played for South Africa from 1924 until 1933, during which he played a South African record 17 consecutive games and scored a then world record 14 points in one game against New Zealand. Hugo Porta

Hugo Porta

Hugo Porta is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer, an inductee of both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and IRB Hall of Fame, and one of the best fly-halves the sport has seen...

is regarded as one of the finest players that Argentina

Argentina national rugby union team

The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...

has produced and has been a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy

Laureus World Sports Awards

The Laureus World Sports Awards are awarded annually to sportspeople who have been outstanding during the previous year. The Laureus World Sports Awards were established in 1999 by Founding Patrons Daimler and Richemont and is supported by its Global Partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and...

since 2000.

Of the players mentioned above, Kyle, Morgan, Osler and Porta are members of the IRB Hall of Fame. One fly-half is in the IRB Hall but not the International Hall—Gareth Rees of Canada

Canada national rugby union team

The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the...

, who played in all of the first four Rugby World Cups, and remains the country's all-time leading Test points scorer.

Scrum-half

The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They receive the ball from the lineout and remove the ball from the back of the scrum, usually passing it to the fly-half. They also feed the scrum and sometimes have to act as a fourth loose forward. Along with the fly-half they make many of the tactical decisions on the field. During general play the scrum-half is generally the player who receives the ball from the forwards and passes it to the backs. They are good communicators, especially at directing the forwards around, and their aim is to provide the backs with clean ball. Good scrum-halves have an excellent pass, a good tactical kick and are deceptive runners. At defensive scrums they put pressure on the opposition scrum-half or defend the blindside. On defence in open play they generally cover for deep kicks after the ball has been passed wide. Traditionally scrum-halves have been the smallest players on the team, but many modern scrum-halves are a similar size to the other players in the team.
Ken Catchpole

Ken Catchpole

Ken Catchpole OAM, is a former Australian rugby union footballer. A state and national representative half-back, he played twenty-seven matches for Australia, thirteen as captain. Catchpole rose through the ranks at the Randwick club as a young man, before making his debut for New South Wales...

is an Australian scrum half who was made captain on his debut at 21 in 1961. Danie Craven

Danie Craven

Daniël Hartman Craven , more famously known as Danie Craven or simply Doc Craven, is a former Western Province, Eastern Province, Northern Transvaal and Springbok rugby union player as well as arguably South Africa's best and best-known rugby administrator...

from South Africa was one of the greatest scrum halves in the 1930s and a respected administrator of the South African Rugby Board

South African Rugby Board

The South African Rugby Board was the rugby union governing body of white South Africans between 1889 and 1992. The governing of white and coloured rugby union was handled separately during South Africa under Apartheid....

. Gareth Edwards

Gareth Edwards

Gareth Owen Edwards CBE is a former Welsh rugby union footballer who played scrum-half and has been described by the BBC as "arguably the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey"....

, a member of both the International Rugby and IRB Halls of Fame, played for Wales and the British and Irish Lions during the 1970s and is regarded by many as one of the greatest Welsh players. Nick Farr-Jones

Nick Farr-Jones

Nicholas Campbell Farr-Jones is a former Australian rugby union footballer. His position was scrum-half. He attended Newington College and St Andrew's College within the University of Sydney...

captained Australia through their 1991 Rugby World Cup

1991 Rugby World Cup

The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...

winning campaign; he was enshrined in the International Hall in 1999 and the IRB Hall in 2011. When Joost van der Westhuizen

Joost van der Westhuizen

Joost van der Westhuizen is a former South African rugby union footballer who was the Springboks' first choice scrum-half in the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s. He was capped 89 times for the Springboks and scored 38 tries...

retired in 2003 he had 89 caps, at the time the most for any South African.

Two scrum-halves are in the IRB Hall but not the International Hall. New Zealander David Kirk

David Kirk

David Edward Kirk, MBE, , is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He is best known for having been the captain of the All Blacks when they won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987....

, inducted in 2011, was captain of the All Blacks team that won the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup. Fellow 2011 inductee Agustín Pichot

Agustín Pichot

Agustín Pichot is a retired Argentine rugby union player, formerly captain of the Argentine team and the English club Bristol. In addition to Bristol, he played for French sides Stade Français and Racing Métro after leaving Argentine team CASI from San Isidro in 1997...

, who played in three World Cups for Argentina

Argentina national rugby union team

, is perhaps best known as the Pumas' captain during their surprise run to third place in the 2007 World Cup, which eventually led to their 2012 entry into The Rugby Championship, previously the Tri Nations.

Number Eight

Number eight is the only position that does not have a specific name in English and is simply referred to as "number eight" or "eighthman". They bind between the locks at the back of the scrum, providing extra weight at the push. Number eights interact with the scrum-half at the back of the scrum to control and provide clean ball for the backs. They can also pick the ball from the back of the scrum and run with it or flick it to the scrum half. At lineouts they can be either another jumper or a lifter. Around the field they have a similar set of responsibilities as the flankers at the breakdown. Number eights are often strong ball carriers and run off the backs in an attempt to break through or push past the opposition's defensive line.
Number eights in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Mervyn Davies (Wales

Wales national rugby union team

and British and Irish Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), Morne du Plessis

Morne du Plessis

Morne du Plessis is a former South African rugby union player. He is often described as one of the Springboks' most successful captains. Playing at number 8, his national career spanned ten years, five of which he was captain...

(South Africa

South Africa national rugby union team

), Brian Lochore

Brian Lochore

Sir Brian James Lochore, ONZ, KNZM, OBE is a former rugby union footballer and coach who represented and captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. He played at number 8 and lock, as well as captaining the side 46 times...

(New Zealand) and Hennie Muller

Hennie Muller

Hendrik "Hennie" Scholtz Vosloo Muller was a South African rugby union footballer. Born in Witbank, Muller is considered one of the greatest South African footballers, captaining the national side, the Springboks in nine tests, and is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame...

(South Africa

South Africa national rugby union team

). Lochore is also in the IRB Hall of Fame, but primarily as a coach.

Flanker

The flanker's role is to tackle the opposition and try to steal the ball. The openside flanker binds to the side of the scrum that covers the greatest area, while the blindside covers the side nearest the side-line. They bind loosely to the side of the scrum, but still play an important role in keeping the props tight by pushing at an angle. They should be the first forward to a breakdown from a scrum or lineout and are expected to link with the backline or secure the ball at the tackle. Both positions have a high workrate, meaning the players need to be fit as well as good at reading the oppositions attacking plays. During open play if they have not made the tackle they usually stand in the loose next to the ruck or maul. This allows them to arrive quickly at the next tackle. The blindside is generally the larger of the two and usually acts as a third jumping option at the lineout. The openside flanker is usually faster than the blindside with good opensides excellent at turning over the ball at the tackle. Teams often use their openside Flankers to 'charge' the opposition Fly Half, putting pressure on him and forcing him to rush his decision making, kicking or passing.. Blindside flankers also have the task of stopping any attempt by the opposition eighth-man to run with the ball around the blindside of a scrum.
Flankers in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Dave Gallaher

Dave Gallaher

David "Dave" Gallaher was a New Zealand rugby union footballer, best known as the captain of "The Originals", the first New Zealand national rugby union team to be known as the All Blacks....

(New Zealand), Michael Jones (New Zealand), Ian Kirkpatrick

Ian Kirkpatrick

Ian Andrew Kirkpatrick is a former New Zealand rugby union player, who was captain of the All Blacks.Kirkpatrick began his first-class career in 1966 at the age of 20 playing for Poverty Bay. One year later in he moved to Canterbury and established himself in the local provincial team...

(New Zealand), Graham Mourie

Graham Mourie

Graham Neil Kenneth Mourie is a former New Zealand All Black flanker and coach of the Hurricanes. He was one of the great All Black Captains in the late 70s and early 80s...

(New Zealand), Francois Pienaar

Francois Pienaar

Jacobus Francois Pienaar is a South African former rugby union player. He played flanker for South Africa from 1993 until 1996, winning 29 international caps, all of them as captain. He is best known for leading South Africa to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup...

(South Africa

South Africa national rugby union team

), Jean Prat

Jean Prat

Jean Prat was French rugby union footballer. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1959. He played over 50 times for France and is a member of both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and IRB Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2001 and 2011 respectively...

(France

France national rugby union team

), Jean-Pierre Rives

Jean-Pierre Rives

Jean-Pierre Rives is a French former rugby union player who won 59 caps for France as a flanker. Although considered too small by some for the position, Rives displayed tremendous courage and flair, epitomising the spirit of French rugby...

(France

France national rugby union team

), Fergus Slattery

Fergus Slattery

John Fergus Slattery is a former rugby union player who represented Ireland. He played schools rugby for Blackrock College and then moved on to play senior rugby for UCD, before earning a call up to the Ireland team in 1970. During his career Slattery earned 61 caps, 18 as captain, and scored 3...

(Ireland

Ireland national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), and Wavell Wakefield (England

England national rugby union team

The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...

). Pienaar and Prat are also members of the IRB Hall of Fame.

Locks

The locks form the second row and push against the front row during the scrum providing much of the power. They are almost always the tallest players on the team and are the primary targets when the ball is thrown in at line-outs. Locks must also have good catching ability. At the lineout the locks are supported by team mates allowing them to compete for the ball, either passing or tapping it to the scrumhalf or setting up a drive. In scrums the two locks bind tightly together and slide their heads between a prop and the hooker. Locks tend to compete for the kick offs and are involved in securing the ball in rucks and mauls.
Locks in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Bill Beaumont

Bill Beaumont

William "Bill" Blackledge Beaumont CBE was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. His greatest moment as captain was the unexpected 1980 Grand Slam. He played as a lock...

(England

England national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown (rugby player)

Gordon Lamont Brown was a Scottish international rugby union footballer. He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2001. His nickname is Broon frae Troon after his home town in west central Scotland. Brown played second row for West of Scotland, Scotland and the British Lions...

(Scotland

Scotland national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), Frik du Preez

Frik du Preez

Frederik Christoffel Hendrik "Frik" du Preez is a former South African rugby union player who represented Northern Transvaal and the Springboks. He was born on a farm near Rustenburg and went to school at the Parys High School in Parys...

(South Africa

South Africa national rugby union team

), John Eales

John Eales

John Eales AM is an Australian former rugby union player and the most successful captain in the history of Australian rugby.-Early life:...

(Australia

Australia national rugby union team

The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...

), Martin Johnson (England

England national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), Brian Lochore

Brian Lochore

(New Zealand), Willie John McBride

Willie John McBride

William James McBride, MBE, better known as Willie John McBride is a former rugby union footballer who played as a lock for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. He played 63 Tests for Ireland including eleven as captain, and toured with the Lions five times — a record that gave him 17...

(Ireland

Ireland national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), and Colin Meads

Colin Meads

Sir Colin Earl Meads, KNZM, MBE , is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played 55 test matches , most frequently in the lock forward position, for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, from 1957 until 1971.Meads is widely considered one of the greatest players in history...

(New Zealand). Du Preez, Eales, Johnson and McBride are also members of the IRB Hall of Fame as players; Lochore was inducted into the IRB Hall primarily as a coach. Two locks are members of the IRB Hall of Fame but not the International Hall—Fairy Heatlie

Fairy Heatlie

Barry "Fairy" Heatlie was a rugby union player, representing both South Africa and Argentina. He was the fifth captain of the South African rugby union team and is attributed as the man who gave the Springboks their famous green jersey.His contributions to the early development of South African...

, a South African

South Africa national rugby union team

great of the era around 1900 who was also one of the first Argentina

Argentina national rugby union team

internationals, and French international Lucien Mias

Lucien Mias

Lucien Mias is a former international rugby union player for France. His usual position was Lock. He won the 1959 edition, captained the French team to their first Five Nations Championship. Mias was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2005.-External links:*...

Hooker

The hooker is positioned between the two props in the scrum and generally throws the ball into the lineout. After the scrumhalf has put the ball into the scrum they use their feet to "hook" the ball back and win possession for their team. Hookers can be any shape or size, but generally they have a short back and long arms to aid in binding to props. When the opposition is putting the ball into the scrum the hooker will either attempt to win the ball or try and disrupt the scrum. Hookers are usually more mobile than the props and are often used to carry the ball up during open play. Only specialist front row players can play hooker, and if a team can not field one for any reason the scrums will become uncontested.
Hookers in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Sean Fitzpatrick

Sean Fitzpatrick

Sean Fitzpatrick MNZM is a former rugby union footballer who represented New Zealand, and is widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to come from that country. He is also the son of former player Brian Fitzpatrick....

(New Zealand) and Keith Wood

Keith Wood

Keith Gerard Mallinson Wood and educated at St Munchin's College, Limerick is a former international rugby union footballer who played hooker for Ireland, the Lions, Garryowen, Harlequins and Munster....

(Ireland

Ireland national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

). The first hooker to be inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame is John Smit

John Smit

John William Smit is the 50th and current captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. He has played most of his career as a hooker, but played twice for the Springboks off the bench as a prop prior to the South Africa coaching staff's decision to use him as a tighthead...

of South Africa

South Africa national rugby union team

, captain of the World Cup-winning Springboks in 2007 and also the most-capped Springbok in history.

Prop

The props "prop up" the hooker in the scrum. They form part of the front row of the scrum and push against the oppositions props. The loosehead prop is positioned to the left of the hooker and their head will be on the outside of the scrum when it engages. The tighthead is to the right of the hooker with their head positioned between the hooker and the opposition loosehead. The prop's main role is to provide stability at the scrum and support the hooker in quickly winning the ball. At the lineout the prop's role is to support the jumper as they compete for the ball. They are usually positioned at the front of the lineout with a jumper in between them. They are also often involved in lifting jumpers when receiving kick-offs. While scrummaging is still seen as their main responsibility, modern props are also expected to contribute in attack and defence.

Props have to take in pressure from the locks and loose forwards pushing from behind and the opposition pushing against them, so they are often among the strongest players in a team. Some of the more successful props have short necks and broad shoulders to absorb this force as well as powerful legs to drive the scrum forward. Since the game has become professional non-specialist props or hookers cannot play in the front row. If, through send offs or injuries, a team does not have enough specialist front row players the scrums become uncontested (i.e. no pushing is allowed and the team putting the ball into the scrum wins it). On their own scrum the loosehead's role is to provide the hooker with a clear view to strike the ball while the tighthead tries to keep the scrum stable. When the opposition is putting the ball in the tighthead attempts to disrupt the opposing hooker or loosehead, making it difficult for them to win the ball. The loosehead is generally the stronger of the two props.
Props in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Jason Leonard

Jason Leonard

Jason Leonard OBE , also known as "The Fun Bus", is an English former rugby union prop forward who held the world record for winning the most international caps until 2005, when it was surpassed by Australia's scrum-half George Gregan...

(England

England national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

), Syd Millar

Syd Millar

Sydney "Syd" Millar, CBE, is the outgoing chairman of the International Rugby Board. He was born in Ballymena and previously played for Ballymena RFC and represented Ireland in the pack, winning 37 caps as a prop. In addition, he played 9 times for the British and Irish Lions...

(Ireland

Ireland national rugby union team

and Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

) and Wilson Whineray

Wilson Whineray

Sir Wilson James Whineray, KNZM, OBE is a former business executive and the longest-serving captain of the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby union team. Rugby writer T.P. McLean considered him the All Blacks' greatest captain.He first played for the All Blacks in 1957...

(New Zealand). Millar and Whineray are also members of the IRB Hall of Fame.

Utility players

Players that have the ability to play a number of positions in a team are called utility players. Utility players can be seen as "Jack of all trades" and they generally occupy the reserve position in a team. For this reason many try to avoid being labeled as utilities. Players in the forward positions are generally more specialised than those that play in the backs. However flankers can usually play number eight and sometimes the blindside may be used as a lock. The front row positions are usually very specialised, although some props can play both sides or even hooker, South African captain John Smit

John Smit

being one player who has played test matches in every front row position. Utility backs tend to cover a greater number of position; with players commonly switching between scrum-half and fly-half, fly-half and centre or wing and fullback.

No true utility backs are in either the International Rugby or IRB Halls of Fame, although Mike Gibson has 28 caps at fly half, 48 at centre and 4 on the wing while Tim Horan played 62 tests at centre, 2 on the wing and 9 at fullback. Players that have played multiple positions within the backline include Austin Healey

Austin Healey

Austin Sean Healey is a former English rugby union player, who played as a utility back for Leicester Tigers, and has represented the England national rugby union team and the British Lions....

(who has started at scrum-half, fly-half, fullback, and wing for England throughout his career), Mike Catt

Mike Catt

Michael John "Mike" Catt OBE is a South African-born former English rugby union footballer who played for London Irish and Bath. He earned 75 international caps for England and played in three World Cup Finals, in 1995, 2003 and 2007...

(started multiple tests at fullback, fly-half and centre, and one on the wing) and François Steyn

François Steyn

Francois Steyn is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the South African national team; and Racing Métro 92 in Paris. He was a member of the South African team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup...

(who has Test caps at every back position except scrum-half). International Rugby Hall of Fame player Danie Craven mostly played at half-back, but has also started a Test in the forwards at number 8.

Rugby Sevens

Rugby seven teams only have seven players on the field and can nominate five substitutes, but only three may play in any one game. Scrums are formed with three players, who bind together the same as the front row. One player plays a similar position to the scrum-half, feeding the ball into the scrum. The other three players form the backline. Since play is a lot more open in sevens, with rucks and mauls generally kept to a minimum, most players are backs or loose forwards in fifteen-a-side teams.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Overview

History

Names of positions

Fullback

Wing

Centre

Fly-half

Scrum-half

Number Eight

Flanker

Locks

Hooker

Prop

Utility players

Rugby Sevens

See also

External links