Rugby Positions Explained: All 15 Rugby Union Positions
Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes.
Whether you're a newbie to rugby or a massive code head who’s been backing the All Blacks and Black Ferns for years, understanding the nuance of each rugby position will bring you closer to the game.
Every rugby position has a unique role, starting up front with the forwards.
In close the tight forwards set the tone at the front lines of the physical battle, while the loose forwards add speed and explosiveness to the collisions.
Rugby’s inside backs control the game tactically with their playmaking, kicking and decision making, while the outside backs provide the top level speed and finishing.
Join us as we take a deep dive into all 15 rugby positions and the skills and attributes that make each one important to the team...
The Tight Five: Front Row Forwards
In the front row, two props in the number 1 and 3 jerseys bind together in the scrums either side of their hooker, who wears the number 2 jersey.
Front rowers are the big bruisers, and typically the strongest players on the field. At lineout time it is the job of the hooker to throw the ball in and hit their target jumper, while props do the heavy lifting, hoisting the jumper into the air.
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Number 1 - Loosehead Prop
The loosehead prop binds down on the left-hand side of the scrum, one of the toughest jobs in rugby. Their core responsibilities on the field include providing stability at scrum time, lifting jumpers at lineout time, hitting rucks, carrying hard into contact and making big tackles around the field.
In the modern professional era, loosehead props are expected to contribute far beyond the set piece scrums and lineouts, often acting as extra ball carriers and decoy runners during attacking phases.
These days loosehead props are also expected to be able to distribute the ball as well as anybody else on the team, with the short offload game a key skill in the tighter channels.
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Number 2 - Hooker
Hookers are bookended by the two props in the scrum and are responsible for striking for the ball back through the scrum channel to their Number 8 and Halfback. At the other critical set piece, Hookers throw the ball into the lineout where accuracy is paramount.
Hookers are among the busiest players on the field, combining explosive physicality with technical skill and are some of the more powerpacked humans on the pitch. Hookers are expected to make gain-line carries, will often protect the ball at the back of lineout drives and are expert close-range try scorers.
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Number 3 - Tighthead Prop
Tighthead props face arguably the hardest scrummaging assignment of all the forwards. Positioned on the right side of the front row, they absorb enormous pressure and are integral in providing a solid platform for the entire pack.
A dominant tighthead can have a huge influence on the game, and although debate will rage on who the greatest All Blacks tighthead prop of all time might be, there’s no denying Olo Brown ‘The Auckland Accountant’ probably wins the Greatest All Blacks Nickname of All Time award.
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The Tight Five: Lock Forwards
Number 4 - Lock
Locks are typically the tallest timber in a rugby squad. They help provide power behind the props at scrum time and are key targets at the lineout, both on attack and defense where a dominant lock will look to steal opposition ball.
Around the field locks are expected to make their tackles, secure possession at the ruck and cart the ball into heavy traffic.
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Number 5 - Lock
While both locks perform similar duties, many teams tend to differentiate roles between the two positions. One may focus more on lineout calling and jumping, while the other might provide additional physical presence around the field, like another loose forward.
Together, they form a unique partnership and are the engine room in the second row of the scrum. Some of the more memorable long standing All Blacks lock combinations include Robin Brooke & Ian Jones, Brad Thorn & Ali Williams. More recently Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick made a world record 64 test starts together.
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Loose Forwards
Loose forwards are some of the heartiest players in rugby, with workrate at the core of everything they do. Required to put their heads in dark places as well as put on the big hits, the best loose forwards seem to be everywhere on the field.
Number 6 - Blindside Flanker
The blindside flanker is often known as the enforcer of the forward pack. They combine size, strength and mobility to dominate collisions and disrupt opposition ball.
Many of rugby's most fearsome forwards have worn the No.6 jersey (think Jerome Kaino or Jerry Collins), and tend to possess the hardest shoulders in the team. Blindside flankers are also often a rugby team’s 3rd key target towards the back of the lineout.
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Number 7 - Openside Flanker
The openside flanker role is that of a roving scavenger and requires a big ticker. Their job is to arrive first at breakdowns, win turnovers and harass opposition ball carriers, while also linking up out wide and providing steel in the tackle.
No position demands a higher work rate than openside flanker, and no All Black epitomised excellence in that area of the game more than legendary All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. A freak of nature when it comes to his endurance, and a player other teams loved to hate.
Richie became the first captain in rugby history to lead his team to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, famously winning the first one in 2011 while playing on a broken foot.
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Number 8
Rugby’s No.8 provides a strategic link between the forwards and backs while possessing a strong all round game. They control the ball at the back of the scrum and are expected to break tackles with ball in hand, often providing forward momentum when their team needs it most.
Great No.8s combine menacing power with high quality ball handling skills and impressive footwork, making them more than a handful on attack and someone to watch out for on defense. Some No.8s are also used as a target in the lineout.
Some of the very best No.8s will also offer an impressive kicking game. This was probably best illustrated by All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke who could do it all, including landing dropped goals from 47 metres out in a Rugby World Cup semi final.
A year later in 1996 he went one better, kicking a match sealing drop goal vs the Springboks to claim the All Blacks first ever series win in South Africa.
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The Rugby Backline: Inside Backs
Rugby’s inside backs fancy themselves the brains trust in every team. They help steer the team around the park and are some of the most influential positions on the field. Halfbacks and First Fives are the key playmakers and share the bulk of the tactical kicking as well as key decision making. At Second Five-Eighths ball playing and defensive work are equally important.
Number 9 - Halfback
The halfback is rugby's biggest ball distributor and is one of the most important decision makers in the game. They chase down every ruck and mall linking forward and backs and help to control the tempo of the game with their long and short passing, running, and kicking games.
Quick decision-making and razor sharp passing are essential skills for every halfback in rugby. Typically one of the smaller players on the field, they must also offer accuracy in defence both in close and in covering out wide. The outsized role of a high quality halfback can have a huge impact on the outcome of a game.
New Zealand has been blessed with some of the greatest halfbacks to ever do it, with the likes of Graeme Bachop and Aaron Smith providing elite ball distribution and kicking accuracy, while others such as Sid Going and Justin Marshall and TJ Perenara became famous for their running games.
Modern professionals such as Cam Roigard provide a dangerous triple threat with the accuracy of their kicking and passing games combined with an explosive running ability.
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Number 10 - First Five-Eighth / Flyhalf
Known in New Zealand as a First Five-Eighth and internationally as a Fly-Half, the first five is the team's chief playmaker. They direct the attack, make tactical kicking decisions and will often manage the goal-kicking duties.
The All Blacks have had a ready supply of world class first fives over the decades, most notably the incomparable Dan Carter, one of the most gifted rugby players ever. Sitting atop the list for most points in test rugby history, his record of 1598 total points will likely stand for decades to come.
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Number 12 - Second Five-Eighth / Inside Centre
Completing the list of inside backs is the 2nd Five Eighth. Known around the world as an Inside Centre, the No.12 is often a second playmaker or a powerful ball runner, or both (Ma’a Nonu springs to mind).
Second fives provide balance between attack and defence and frequently act as a distribution link between the inside and outside backs.
These players are the last link in the chain of inside backs and must form key connections with both the First Five-Eight and their Centre outside them.
The All Blacks have had a number of world class second fives over the years such as Walter Little and Ma’a Nonu, both forming enduring and dominant midfield pairings with 13s Frank Bunce and Conrad Smith.
Sonny Bill Williams’ ability to offload in contact under extreme duress ushered in a new dynamic to New Zealand’s attack during his time in the black jersey.
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The Rugby Backline: Outside Backs
The outside backs in rugby are your quickest players, the speedsters in the outside lane. Number 11 on the Left Wing, number 13 is the Centre, number 14 is on the Right Wing, and the Fullback wears the number 15 jersey.
Number 11 - Left Wing
Out on the wings it's all about explosive speed and accurate finishing. One of their roles is to convert opportunities into tries, using their top end pace and elusive strength to exploit space in the wider channels.
The best wings can turn half a chance into a five-pointer, and in the All Blacks case they can sometimes create something out of nothing. The world’s first global rugby superstar and the most famous Number 11 of all time, Jonah Lomu exploded onto the test scene as a teenager, running over, through, and around players seemingly at will.
Once again, the left wing has historically been a stacked position for both the All Blacks and Black Ferns, with a conveyor belt of talent having played on the left wing throughout the years. Power and pace have been some of their hallmarks.
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Number 13 - Centre / Outside Centre
The Number 13 or Centre/Outside Centre is responsible for creating opportunities in attack while shutting down the opposition back line. It is one of the hardest positions to play defensively.
A great centre combines speed, vision, and defensive awareness.
Tackle accuracy is expected of all good 13s, as are their on-field communication skills.
On attack the best 13s are equally adept at breaking the line as they are at setting up their outsides.
Big names to wear the All Blacks jersey include Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga and Frank Bunce, while Amy du Plessis and Huriana Manuel-Carpenter are legends of the Blacks Ferns.
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Number 14 - Right Wing
Like their counterparts on the left side of the field, right wings are expected to score tries and threaten defences with their pace and footwork. In the modern game, security under the highball is also a requirement.
Many memorable All Blacks tries have been scored by players wearing the No.14 jersey. Who could forget the beauty of a Jeff Wilson grubber and chase, or John Kirwan’s 1987 world cup heroics. And what about the prodigious finishing talents of Doug Howlett - his 49 tries in just 62 tests remains an All Blacks record.
In the women’s game, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who holds the world record for the most tries in test rugby, and the likes of Ruby Tui have made scoring tries look easy for the Black Ferns.
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Number 15 - Fullback
The fullback is rugby's last line of defence and also one of its most potent attacking players. They field kicks, launch counter-attacks and provide support across the backline.
Fullbacks are usually one of the team’s tactical leaders and in modern times can be interchangeable with their first five, sharing some of the playmaking responsibilities at first receiver as well as covering the backfield.
The position demands composure under pressure, elite game awareness, tactical nous as well as speed, elusiveness and bravery on defence. Fullbacks are some of the most complete players in the entire team.
It's no surprise to learn that New Zealand has continued to develop some of the most lethal rugby players to ever wear the No.15 jersey. The list of talent listed below is off the charts and includes the blistering Christian Cullen - arguably the greatest fullback to ever play the game, at least in the eyes of this writer.
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Every Position Matters in Rugby
One of the things that makes the game of rugby so unique is that every player has such a specialised role. While the big boppers up front might not have the same try scoring output as a winger, both are equally important to a team's success.
From the tough stuff up front to the creativity of the first five and the finishing ability of the outside backs, rugby's 15 positions combine to create one of the world's most intricate team sports.
In the modern game it's not just about the starting 15 either, the full match day squad of 23 players now each have distinct parts to play. The substitutes bench has become an increasingly important part of the game, with the injection of fresh legs at crucial moments adding a new dimension.
Understanding each of the individual roles in rugby not only helps explain what's happening on the field, it also lends a greater appreciation for the skill, athleticism and teamwork required to play the game at the highest level.
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