Positions in Rugby

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Bradshaw]Anthony Bradshaw
The position in a rugby team tells the players where they should stand on the field, what their duties are for the team, and how they fit into the bigger team picture. The names that are given to the 15 different positions in a rugby team have changed over the years, and even differ from country to country, which can make this a confusing topic.
For example, in New Zealand and Australia the positions of the backs are named according to their distance from the scrum; halves, five-eights, centres, three-quarters, and full back. In other parts of the world (particularly the Northern Hemisphere) the half back is often called the scrum half, the first five eight is known as the fly half, and the centres are divided into inside and outside centre.
As for the forwards, the first two rows of the scrum are called the tight five and they do most of the hard work, winning the ball in close situations, such as scrums, rucks, and line outs. The third row in the scrum includes the two flankers which are on each side, and the number eight in between them. These three players are also referred to as the loose forwards, or the 'loosies'.
The two players on the outside of the front row are called the props, this because it is their job to prop up the hooker in between them who is trying to hook the ball back to his teammates when it is played into the scrum. These are normally very strong players, as they not only support the hooker but also lift other players at the line out to help them reach the ball. Traditionally the two props would be numbered 1 and 3 and would stand at these positions in the lineout to support the main jumpers. There are always at least two jumpers to try to confuse the opposition. Apart from trying to hook the ball in the scrum, the hooker is also the player who throws the ball in for the line outs.
The second row of the scrum has the two tallest players in the team. They are the locks, and it is their job to hold the scrum together and provide the main forward thrust to push the opposition off the ball. They are also the main jumpers in the lineout due to their height, although these days more and more other players are involved in the line outs.
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