RUGBY POSITIONS - BACKS
And now, the backs. They are traditionally the smaller and faster players on the team. The forwards will grind in open play to create more space for the backs to exploit gaps in the defense. Again, I’ve tried to compare them to football positions.
SCRUM HALF (Number 9): These are normally the smallest player on the team, and their usual temperament is the aggression of Samwise Gamgee, but with the attitude of Muhammad Ali. They insert the ball into the scrum, and along with the number 8, are the only players who can take the ball out of the scrum. In open play, they will almost always take the ball after each tackle and distribute it to another player. More athletic scrum halves will exploit gaps around the ruck and take off, which is called sniping.
Far de Klerk.
FOOTBALL COMPARISON: Quarterback, Safety
You Should Know Their Name: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse/France), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster/Ireland), Alex Mitchell (Northampton/England), Mo Hunt (Gloucester/England)
FLY-HALF (Number 10): The fly-half is the primary signal caller in attack. In traditional and grassroot level rugby, they are the first receiver from the scrum-half if the team is running a complex play. More than often at the pro level, a different player will be at first receiver, pass it to the number 10, and then the 10 will distribute the ball.
Finn Russell.
FOOTBALL COMPARISON: Quarterback, Safety
YSKTN: Richie Mo’unga (Toshiba Brave Lupus/New Zealand), Finn Russell (Bath/Scotland), Finn Smith (Northampton/England), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs/New Zealand)
CENTRES (Numbers 12 and 13): Your centres (Inside Centre - 12, Outside Centre - 13) are hard running, but fast and agile. Think of Saquon Barkley, mixed with a bit of Ray Lewis.
Emily Scarratt.
FOOTBALL COMPARISON: Running Back, Outside Linebacker
YSKTN: Bundee Aki (Connacht/Ireland), Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle/France), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough/England), Gael Fickou (Racing 92/France)
WINGS (Numbers 11 and 14): Wings are almost always the flashiest and fastest players on a rugby squad. However, some wings broke the mold and introduced a tremendous amount of power to the position, such as the late Jonah Lomu or the current Duhan Van Der Merwe. They usually will take kicks in open play. Recent signing to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Louis Rees-Zammit, played wing for Gloucester and Wales.
Duhan Van Der Merwe.
FOOTBALL COMPARISON: Wide Receiver, Corner Back
YSKTN: Duhan Van Der Merwe (Edinburgh/Scotland), Damian Penaud (Bourdeaux/France), Abby Dow (Trailfinders/England), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath/South Africa)
FULLBACK (Number 15): The fullback is the last line of defense. They will usually call the shots on defense due to their visibility, but also may provide input in attack. They will also field kicks in open play, and need to have strong kicking legs.
Thomas Ramos
FOOTBALL COMPARISON: Safety
YSKTN: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes/New Zealand), George Furbank (Northampton/England), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse/France), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins/England)
