Five-eighth explained

Five-eighth or stand-off is one of the positions in a rugby league football team. Wearing jersey number 6, this player is one of the two half-backs in a team, partnering the .[1] [2] [3] As the name suggests, the five-eighth is the go between the half-back and the threequarters (is between and), moving the ball from the contested middle to the outside backs.[4] In a traditional 'back-line' attack (No. 1-7),[5] the five-eighth, sometimes known as the pivot or second receiver,[6] receives the ball from the half-back,[7] who is the first receiver of the ball from the dummy-half or following a tackle.

The role of the five-eighth is often to pass the ball away from the congested area around the tackle, further out along the 'back-line' to the outside backs (the centres and wingers) who have more space to run with.[8] [9] Furthermore, players in this position typically assume responsibility for kicking the ball for field position in general play.[10] [11] The five-eighth is therefore considered one of the most important positions, often referred to as a 'play maker', assuming a decision-making role on the field.[12] [13] Over time, however, as the game has evolved, the roles of the two halves have grown more aligned and difficult to distinguish.[14] Along with other key positions – fullback, hooker and half-back – the five-eighth makes up what is known as a team's spine.[15]

One book published in 1996 stated that in senior rugby league, the five-eighth and hooker handled the ball more often than any other positions.[16]

The Rugby League International Federation's Laws of the Game state that the "Stand-off half or Five-eighth" is to be numbered 6.[17] However, traditionally players' jersey numbers have varied, and in the modern Super League, each squad's players are assigned individual numbers regardless of position.

Etymology

Traditionally in rugby football, there have always been two half-backs as well as scrums involving the forwards. Of the two half-backs, the name "scrum half" was given to the one who was involved in the scrum by feeding the ball into it; and the name "stand-off half" was given to the one who stood off to the side of the scrum.[18] In Britain, where rugby league originated, this terminology has been retained.[19] In Australian English, however, "five-eighth" is the term used for the number 6, to differentiate from the "half-back" which is the name commonly given to the number 7.[20] In New Zealand, both terms appear to be used interchangeably.

Notable Five-eighths

Five-eighths that feature in their respective nations' rugby league halls of fame are England's Roger Millward, Australia's Wally Lewis, Bob Fulton, Brett Kenny, Albert Rosenfeld and Vic Hey, and New Zealand's George Menzies.

Rugby league's first known black player, Lucius Banks, played in the position for Hunslet R.L.F.C. in 1912-13.[21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The NRL's 10 best halves combos. NRL.com. 6 March 2013 . National Rugby League. 4 September 2013.
  2. News: McDonald. Margie. Finch to be five-eighth. 4 September 2013. The Australian. 11 November 2006.
  3. News: Jancetic. Steve. Lyon backs away from five-eighth role. 4 September 2013. Wide World of Sports. 12 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20141016153826/http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1051684. 16 October 2014. dead.
  4. Web site: Yatras . Michael . 8 Aug 2022 . The forgotten art of the five-eighth . 2025-09-06 . The Roar.
  5. Book: Hickey, Julia . Understanding Rugby League . Coachwise . 2006 . 9781905540105 . UK.
  6. News: Dillon. Robert. Mullen finds a home in pivotal role for Knights. 4 September 2013. The Newcastle Herald. 1 April 2012.
  7. News: Thompson. Michael. Thompson now calling the shots. 4 September 2013. Townsville Bulletin. 21 July 2011.
  8. News: Gould. Phil. Why is their number up?. 4 September 2013. The Sun-Herald. 22 February 2004.
  9. News: Hickie. David. The Trend toward Robot League. 4 September 2013. The Sun-Herald. 1 March 1987.
  10. News: Ryan. Nathan. James Maloney backed for NSW five-eighth based on his kicking game says Nathan Hindmarsh. 4 September 2013. The Australian. 8 May 2013.
  11. News: Ritchie. Dean. NSW five-eighth Jamie Soward vows dominant kicking game in State of Origin II. 4 September 2013. Herald Sun. 9 June 2011.
  12. News: Positions guide: Stand-off. Rugby league: Laws & Equipment. 12 September 2005 . BBC News. 4 September 2013.
  13. News: Gardini. Adam. Rogers eager to play five-eighth. 4 September 2013. goldcoast.com.au. 8 January 2008.
  14. News: Knox. Ron. The Role of half backs: Where we are strongest. 4 September 2013. comeallwithin.co.uk. 20 February 2006.
  15. News: Badel. Peter. Darren Lockyer urges Anthony Griffin to stop tinkering with the spine of the Brisbane Broncos. 4 September 2013. The Courier-Mail. 1 September 2013.
  16. Book: Tim Rogers and Richard Beesley. Fitness for Rugby League. 2006. coachrugbyleague.com.au. Australia. 2013-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021064758/http://coachrugbyleague.com.au/Documents/International/Fitness%20for%20Rugby%20League.pdf. 2012-10-21. dead.
  17. Book: The International Laws of the Game and Notes of the Laws. 2007. RLIF. 9. 2012-11-14. 2013-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20121114194715/http://rlifmedia.dyndns.org/docs/rugby_laws_book_2007_%20(2).pdf. dead.
  18. Book: Crego, Robert. Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries. 2003. Greenwood Press. USA. 978-0-313-31610-4. 101–104.
  19. Book: Hickey, Julia. Understanding Rugby League. 2006. Coachwise. UK. 978-1-905540-10-5. 17.
  20. Book: Australian Language & Culture. 2007. Lonely Planet. Australia. 978-1-74059-099-0. 83. registration.
  21. 10.1080/02619288.1998.9974933. Racial minorities in a marginalized sport: Race, discrimination and integration in British rugby league football. Immigrants & Minorities. 17. 151–169. 1998. Collins. Tony.

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