Five-eighth
Five-eighth
Half back position in rugby league
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 scrum-half.[1][2][3] Sometimes known as the pivot or second receiver,[4] in a traditional attacking 'back-line' (No. 1-7)[5] play, the five-eighth would receive the ball from the scrum half,[6] who is the first receiver of the ball from the dummy-half or hooker 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 it.[7][8] Furthermore, players in this position typically assume responsibility for kicking the ball for field position in general play.[9][10] 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.[11][12] Over time, however, as the game has evolved, the roles of the two halves have grown more aligned and difficult to distinguish.[13] Along with other key positions – fullback, hooker and scrum half – the five-eighth makes up what is known as a team's spine.[14]
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.[15]
The Rugby League International Federation's Laws of the Game state that the "Stand-off half or Five-eighth" is to be numbered 6.[16] However, traditionally players' jersey numbers have varied, and in the modern Super League, each squad's players are assigned individual numbers regardless of position.
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