Rugby league positions

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

Forwards

Hooker

Scrum Play

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.

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Normal Play

The hooker, like most forwards 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.

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Notable Hookers: Danny Buderus, Luke Priddis, Greg Conescu and Craig Wing

Related Topics:
Danny Buderus - Luke Priddis - Greg Conescu - Craig Wing

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Prop forwards

There are two props in rugby league, numbered 8 and 10, which packs 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.

Related Topics:
Scrum

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Notable props include: Mark O'Meley, Shane Webcke, Ben Ross, Danny Nutley, Jason Stevens, James Evans, Stuart Fielden, Paul Harragon, Petero Civoniceva and Arthur Beetson

Related Topics:
Mark O'Meley - Shane Webcke - Ben Ross - Danny Nutley - Jason Stevens - James Evans - Stuart Fielden - Paul Harragon - Petero Civoniceva - Arthur Beetson

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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.

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Notable second rows include: Andy Farrell, Willie Mason, Steve Menzies, Djamel Fakir, Nathan Hindmarsh, Steve Simpson, Craig Fitzgibbon, Gorden Tallis and Carl Webb

Related Topics:
Andy Farrell - Willie Mason - Steve Menzies - Djamel Fakir - Nathan Hindmarsh - Steve Simpson - Craig Fitzgibbon - Gorden Tallis - Carl Webb

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Loose forward

Also called the lock forward (SH), numbered 13, is the final row of players in the scrum, he "locks" the two second-rowers. One of the first players away after the scrum, will provide support for the scrum-half and the backs. They are often good leaders.

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Notable loose forwards include: Paul Sculthorpe, Luke Ricketson, Ben Kennedy, Sonny Bill Williams, Tonie Carroll and Shaun Timmins

Related Topics:
Paul Sculthorpe - Luke Ricketson - Ben Kennedy - Sonny Bill Williams - Tonie Carroll - Shaun Timmins

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