The Rugby Full Back
This position calls for all-round ability. The fullback is the last-ditch line of defence, standing behind the main line of defence. He 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 he retains possession, and also, as he typically positions himself behind the first line of defence, he has a view of the entire line and is expected to give orders to the other defending players, alerting them to fill possible holes and weaknesses in the line. His 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.


The Rugby Wing / Winger
Also known as wingers (SH), of which there are two, numbered 2 and 5; should be the fastest players on 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 expert 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, also often called upon for the initial few hit-ups after a kick.


The Rugby 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. Very rarely these days are centres a combination but instead their combinations are with the winger on their side of the field.


The Rugby Stand Off
Also known as a five eighth or pivot(SH) and numbered 6, needs to be able to pass left and right accurately. He needs to be a good and accurate rugby 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. He needs to be quick on his feet and to be strong when running the ball like a back rower. This player must be effective in avoiding tackles and must have good coordination with the wingers and centres. Most are smaller in size but must have some bulk on them.


The Rugby Scrum Half
Also known as a halfback (SH), numbered 7; like the stand-off, is usually one of the smaller players on the field. The halfback must be quick of mind, nippy and be able to pass well. He 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'.


The Rugby 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 where rugby injury can become common. 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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