Commonwealth Rubgy Positions:
- Props (1-10): The props packs down in the scrum on the sides and together provide support for the hooker. The props are often the two heaviest players on a team. Primarily, in attack their size and strength are used for running directly into the defensive line, as a kind of "battering ram" to simply gain meters. Similarly, props are relied upon to defend against such running from the opposition's forwards. They also support the jumpers in the lineout.
- Hooker (11-15): The hooker packs in the middle of the scrum's front row, using their feet to ‘hook’ the ball and normally throw in the ball at lineouts. The position is named because of the traditional role of "hooking" the ball back with the foot when it entered the scrum. It is usually the hooker who plays in the dummy half position, receiving the ball from the play-the-ball and continuing his team's attack by passing the ball to a team-mate or by running himself.
- Locks (16-25): There are two locks in a commonwealth football team. The locks are usually the tallest players and are required to jump in both the lineouts and ball-ups to catch the ball or get the ball down on their team’s own side. In the scrum, locks pack down in the second row and bind on to each other and the prop in front of them. They add a lot of power to the scrum, and support the hooker and props while attacking.
- Flankers (26-35): The blindside flanker binds onto the side of the scrum closest to the sideline. Their first priority is to be part of the loose forwards strong defensive screen and be part of the lifting unit or a jumper in lineouts. The openside flanker binds onto the side of the scrum furthest from the sideline. Their first priority is to be first to the ball when a breakdown occurs and provide a strong defensive screen.
- Stand-off (36-40): The stand-off packs down at the back of the scrum usually binding onto the two locks and controls the movements and feeding of the ball to the halfback. The stand-off is in the position where the ball enters the backline from the scrum and can elect to pick and run with the ball. From an attacking scrum they will sometimes pick the ball up themselves and run or pass. Some notable professional loose forwards have also played at stand-off, as the roles can be similar.
- Scrum-half (41-45): The scrum-half is the important link between the forwards and the backs and is behind the scrum to get the ball out and maintain movement. They are players who feed the ball into the scrum. They are also able to stand close to the lineout to catch any knock-downs from the jumpers.
- Halfbacks (46-55): The halfbacks make tactical decisions during the game, on whether to kick the ball to gain space or tactical advantage or move the ball to their outside backs, or to run with the ball themselves. They are usually the first to receive the ball from the scrum-half following a breakdown, line-out or scrum and need to be decisive with what actions to take and be effective at communicating with the outside backs. The halfbacks are, in most cases, also the goal-kicker.
- Inside Centers (56-65): There are two centers, left and right.They are usually positioned outside the halves and inside the outside centers. Like the halfbacks, they generally possess a good kicking game and are good at reading the play and directing the attack.The inside centers' main role is to provide space for the players outside them. They need to run good lines (run into spaces or at 90 degrees to their opposition), be able to side step and swerve, and have good passing skills.
- Outside Centers (66-75): There are two centers, left and right.They are usually positioned outside the inside centers and inside the wings. They often need to be some of the fastest players on the pitch, usually providing the pass to the winger for him to finish off a move. When the ball is moved along the opposition backline, the outside centers are the first players to make the tackle. They need to be aggressive tacklers to knock their opponent down and seize the ball and be good at organizing the defensive lines. Outside centers generally have more room to move than inside centers. Centers also provide support at the breakdowns and can run as decoys to confuse the defense.
- Wings (76-85): There are two wings in a commonwealth football team positioned on each side of the field. The wings are usually the fastest players, finishers of play and often score the tries. The principle is that the forwards and backs create space so that once the wings receive the ball they can have a clear run for the try-box. The skills needed for the left wing and right wing are similar, although left-footed players are usually played on the left wing as they can step and kick better off their left foot. The wings must also be good tacklers when defending.
- Fullback (86-89): This position calls for all-round ball-playing ability and speed. The fullback is often referred to as the “last line of defense” and is positioned behind all their teammates. They often catch high balls, return kicks from the opposition and act as an extra player on attack. Defensively, fullbacks must be able to chase and tackle any player who breaks the first line of defense. Their role in attack is usually as a support player, but they can also come into the line to create an extra man in attack.