Editing Rugby league (section)

== Positions ==
[[File:Leeds Rhinos1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Leeds Rhinos]] and [[Wakefield Trinity]] contesting the 2008 [[Boxing Day]] [[Leeds Rhinos–Wakefield Trinity rivalry#Feative Challenge|Festive Challenge]] friendly at [[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]]]]
{{Main|Rugby league positions}}
Players on the pitch are divided into [[Rugby league positions#Forwards|forwards]] and [[Rugby league positions#Backs|backs]], although the game's rules apply to all players the same way. Each position has a designated number to identify himself from other players. These numbers help to identify which position a person is playing. The system of numbering players is different depending on which country the match is played in. In Australia and New Zealand, each player is usually given a number corresponding to their playing position on the field. However, since 1996 European teams have been able to grant players specific squad numbers, which they keep without regard to the position they play, similarly to [[association football]].<ref name="SLnumbers">{{citation|publisher=theRFL|title='history of the sport' in 1996|url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/page.php?areaid=46|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922085622/http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/page.php?areaid=46|archive-date=22 September 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Rugby League Formation and Positions.jpg|alt=A formation of a Rugby League team. This image shows the numbers of each position on a rugby field and where they should be placed. |thumb|A standard Rugby League formation, showing where different positions can be placed. ]]
Substitutes (generally referred to as "the bench") are allowed in the sport, and are typically used when a player gets [[Fatigue (medical)|tired]] or [[Injury|injured]], although they can also be used tactically. Each team is currently allowed four substitutes, and in Australia and New Zealand, these players occupy shirt numbers 14 to 22.<ref name="SLnumbers2">{{citation|publisher=This is rugby|title='rugby league playing guide' squad numbers|url=http://www.thisisrugby.info/servlets/template?FILE=rugby-league-guide&navid=17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731131603/http://www.thisisrugby.info/servlets/template?FILE=rugby-league-guide&navid=17|archive-date=31 July 2009}}</ref> There are no limitations on which players must occupy these interchangeable slots. Generally, twelve interchanges are allowed in any game from each team, although in the National Rugby League, this was reduced to ten prior to the 2008 season<ref name="NRLtensubs">{{cite web|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=15023|title=League rule changes for 2008|publisher=leagueunlimited.com (League Unlimited)|access-date=18 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216224450/http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=15023|archive-date=16 February 2009}}</ref> and further reduced to eight prior to the 2016 season. If a team has to interchange a player due to the [[Blood replacement|blood bin]] rule or due to injury, and this was the result of misconduct from the opposing team, the compromised team does not have to use one of its allocated interchanges to take the player in question off the field.

=== Backs ===
The backs are generally smaller, faster and more agile than the forwards. They are often the most creative and evasive players on the field, relying on running, kicking and handling skills, as well as tactics and set plays, to break the defensive line, instead of brute force. Generally forwards play a more collision oriented game, making ground by pure strength, and tackling near the play-the-ball.

* The title of ''[[Fullback (rugby league)|fullback]]'' (numbered 1) comes from the fullback's defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line. Therefore, fullbacks are usually good ball catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack, the fullback will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle. Fullbacks can play a role in attack similar to a halfback or five-eighth and the fact that the fullback does not have to defend in the first defensive line means that a coach can keep a playmaker from the tackling responsibilities of the first line whilst allowing them to retain their attacking role.
* The ''[[Rugby league positions#Wingers|wingers]]'' (numbered 2 and 5) are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field (the wings). Their main task is to receive passes and score tries. The wingers also drop back on the last tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the fullback covers the middle.
*The ''[[Center (rugby)|centres]]'' (numbered 3 and 4) are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try to create attacking opportunities for their team and defend against those of the opposition. Along with the wingers, the centres score plenty of tries throughout a season. They usually have a large build and therefore can often play in the {{rlp|sr}}.
Usually, the stand-off/five-eighth and scrum-half/half-back are a team's creative unit or 'playmakers'. During the interactions between a team's 'key' players (five-eighth, half-back, fullback, lock forward, and hooker), the five-eighth and half-back will usually be involved in most passing moves. These two positions are commonly called the "halves".
* The stand-off half, or [[five-eighth]] (numbered 6): There is not much difference between the stand-off half and the scrum half ([[Scrum-half (rugby league)|halfback]]), in that both players may operate in front of the pack during 'forward play' (as prime receiver [7] and shadow receiver [6], one on each side of the ruck, or both on same side of the ruck), and both players may operate in front of the backs during 'back play' (as prime pivot [6] and shadow pivot [7], one on each side of the pack, or both on same side of the ruck / pack). The Five-Eighth position is named with regard to the distance that the player stands in relevance to the team.
* The [[Scrum-half (rugby league)|halfback]] (numbered 7): There is not much difference between the halfback and the five-eighth, in that both players may operate in front of the pack during 'forward play' (as prime receiver [7] and shadow receiver [6], one on each side of the ruck, or both on same side of the ruck). Both players may operate in front of the backs during 'back play' (as prime pivot [6] and shadow pivot [7], one on each side of the ruck/pack, or both on same side of the ruck/pack). The halfback position is named with regard to halfway between the fullback and the forwards.

=== Forwards ===
[[File:Ftwins.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|Rugby league is noted for its hard physical play.]]
The forwards' two responsibilities can be broken into "normal play" and "scrum play". For information on a forward's role in the scrum see [[scrum (rugby)#Rugby league|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 assigned as follows:
* The ''[[Prop forward|props or front-row forwards]]'' (numbered 8 and 10) are normally the largest players on field. 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, will give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively.
* The ''[[Hooker (rugby league)|hooker]]'' (numbered 9) is most likely to play the role of [[Rugby league positions#dummy half|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. They need to have a very good knowledge of the game and the players around them.
* The ''{{rlp|sr}} 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 ''[[Lock (rugby league)|Loose forward or Lock]]'' (numbered 13) is the only forward in the third (last) row of the scrum. They are usually among 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 locks to have the skills of a [[five-eighth]] and to play a similar role in the team.