Five-eighth

This article is about the rugby league position. For the rugby union positions, see First five-eighths and Second five-eighths. For other uses, see 5/8.
Stand-offs such as France's Thomas Bosc require good passing skills.

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 halfback,[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 halfback – 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.

  1. ^ "The NRL's 10 best halves combos". NRL.com. National Rugby League. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  2. ^ McDonald, Margie (11 November 2006). "Finch to be five-eighth". The Australian. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. ^ Jancetic, Steve (12 May 2010). "Lyon backs away from five-eighth role". Wide World of Sports. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  4. ^ Dillon, Robert (1 April 2012). "Mullen finds a home in pivotal role for Knights". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  5. ^ Hickey, Julia (2006). Understanding Rugby League. UK: Coachwise. ISBN 9781905540105.
  6. ^ Thompson, Michael (21 July 2011). "Thompson now calling the shots". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  7. ^ Gould, Phil (22 February 2004). "Why is their number up?". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  8. ^ Hickie, David (1 March 1987). "The Trend toward Robot League". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  9. ^ Ryan, Nathan (8 May 2013). "James Maloney backed for NSW five-eighth based on his kicking game says Nathan Hindmarsh". The Australian. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  10. ^ Ritchie, Dean (9 June 2011). "NSW five-eighth Jamie Soward vows dominant kicking game in State of Origin II". Herald Sun. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Positions guide: Stand-off". Rugby league: Laws & Equipment. BBC News. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  12. ^ Gardini, Adam (8 January 2008). "Rogers eager to play five-eighth". goldcoast.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  13. ^ Knox, Ron (20 February 2006). "The Role of half backs: Where we are strongest". comeallwithin.co.uk. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  14. ^ Badel, Peter (1 September 2013). "Darren Lockyer urges Anthony Griffin to stop tinkering with the spine of the Brisbane Broncos". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  15. ^ Tim Rogers and Richard Beesley (2006). Fitness for Rugby League (PDF). Australia: coachrugbyleague.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  16. ^ The International Laws of the Game and Notes of the Laws (PDF). RLIF. 2007. p. 9.