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Rugby league



The forwards' two responsibilities can be broken into 'normal play' and 'scrum play'. For information on a forward's role in the scrum see rugby league scrummage. Forward positions are traditionally named after the player's position in the scrum yet are equal with respect to 'normal play' with the exception of the hooker. Forward positions are traditionally broken into:

  • Front row forwards:
    • The props (numbered 8 and 10) are normally the largest players on field (they typically weigh over 15 stones (100 kg) in the open age/senior game). They are positioned in the centre of the line. The prop will be an 'enforcer', dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively.
    • The hooker (numbered 9) is most likely to play the role of dummy-half. In defence the hooker usually defends in the middle of the line against the opposition's props and second-rowers. The hooker will be responsible for organising the defence in the middle of the field. In attack as dummy-half this player is responsible for starting the play from every play-the-ball by either passing the ball to the right player, or, at opportune moments, running from dummy-half. It is vital that the hooker can pass very well. Traditionally, hookers 'hooked' the ball in the scrum. Hookers also make probably more tackles than any other player on the field. The hooker is always involved in the play and needs to be very fit. He needs to have a very good knowledge of the game and the players around him.
  • The second row forwards (numbered 11 and 12) The modern day second row is very similar to a centre and is expected to be faster, more mobile and have more skills than the prop and will play amongst the three-quarters, providing strength in attack and defence when the ball is passed out to the wings. Good second-rowers combine the skills and responsibilities of props and centres in the course of the game.
  • The loose forward or the lock (numbered 13) is the only forward in the third (last) row of the scrum. They are usually one of the fittest players on the field, covering the entire field on both attacking and defending duties. Typically they are big ball-runners who can occasionally slot in as a passing link or kick option; it is not uncommon for loose forwards to have the skills of a five eighth and to play a similar role in the team. :)

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Rugby league worldwide

Rugby league is played in more than 30 countries, though it is most commonly played in the United Kingdom (predominantly northern England), Australia and New Zealand. Australia, where it is a winter sport, is generally thought to be the strongest of the three. Rugby league is most popular in England, Australia, New Zealand, and France and it is recognised as the national sport in Papua New Guinea.

A National Rugby League game in Brisbane, Australia.
A National Rugby League game in Brisbane, Australia.

Australia has won every world cup since 1975. Until November 25, 2005, they had also not lost an international tournament or series of any kind for twenty seven years until they lost to New Zealand in the final of the 2005 Tri-Nations Series at Elland Road in Leeds.

In the United Kingdom, rugby league has traditionally struggled to become accepted outside of the "heartland" counties of northern England where the game originated (Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumberland).

The game is also attempting expansion in Europe. Despite having had many strong teams historically, rugby à treize in France has struggled to compete with rugby union since the Vichy government banned the sport and seized some assets during World War Two. However, French rugby league remained reasonably strong after the war, and the French team reached the final of the 1954 and 1968 Rugby League World Cups. In 2006, the Super League admitted the Catalans Dragons, who on July 29, 2007, made it to the Challenge Cup final, being the first non-English team to do so.

Early 21st century developments have seen Georgia, the Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, Malta, Serbia, Argentina, Jamaica, and others take part in international rugby league tournaments or matches. It should be noted that in some of these nations, such as Georgia, Argentina, and the Netherlands, competed internationally for a period, but do not currently.

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Footnotes

  1. ^ "'No grapple tackle' for NRL in 2008", National Rugby League, 2007-12-26. Retrieved on 2008-01-16. 

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See also

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External links

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