"on to criticise New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence for ""one-sided"" refereeing, claiming that Australian openside David Pocock was allowed to ""reduce the breakdown to a farce"". Lawrence was dropped from the nine-man elite panel in 2012. Following the World Cup exit, several stalwarts of the 2007 World Cup-winning side and the 2011 squad went on to announce retirements or moves abroad. This included captain John Smit, influential lock pairing Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, and scrum-half Fourie du Preez. History of the South Africa national rugby union team The History of the South Africa national rugby union team dates back"
"the opposition scrum-half or defend the blindside. On defence in open play they generally cover for deep kicks after the ball has been passed wide. Traditionally, scrum-halves have been the smallest players on the team, but many modern scrum-halves are a similar size to the other players in the team. Five scrum-halves are members of the International Rugby Hall of Fame; four of them are also in the IRB Hall of Fame. Ken Catchpole of Australia was made captain on his debut at 21 in 1961, and went on to captain the Wallabies in nearly half of his 27 Tests."
"who have broken through the defensive line. Rugby union positions In the game of rugby union, there are 15 players on each team, comprising eight forwards (wearing jerseys numbered 1–8) and seven backs (numbered 9–15). In addition, there may be up to eight replacement players ""on the bench"", numbered 16–23. Players are not restricted to a single position, although they generally specialise in just one or two that suit their skills and body types. Players that play multiple positions are called ""utility players"". The scrum (a contest used to restart play) must consist of eight players from each team: the"
"Rugby union positions In the game of rugby union, there are 15 players on each team, comprising eight forwards (wearing jerseys numbered 1–8) and seven backs (numbered 9–15). In addition, there may be up to eight replacement players ""on the bench"", numbered 16–23. Players are not restricted to a single position, although they generally specialise in just one or two that suit their skills and body types. Players that play multiple positions are called ""utility players"". The scrum (a contest used to restart play) must consist of eight players from each team: the ""front row"" (two props, a loosehead and"
"wheels (rotates) due to pushing more than 90 degrees the scrum is reformed and awarded to the other side. Pulling in an attempt to unbalance the other side or to assist in rotating the scrum is a Penalty Offence. Scrum half Also known as a half-back (especially in New Zealand), they are the players traditionally wearing shirt number 9. Scrum halves form the all-important link between the forwards and the backs. They are relatively small but with a high degree of vision, the ability to react to situations very quickly, and good handling skills. They are often the first tackler"
"Scrum (rugby union) In rugby union a scrum is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement. It involves up to eight players from each team, known as the pack or forward pack, binding together in three rows and interlocking with the free opposing teams forwards. At this point the ball is fed into the gap between the two forward packs and they both compete for the ball to win possession. Teams can be penalised for intentionally causing the scrum to collapse, and for not putting the ball into the scrum correctly. A scrum is most commonly awarded when"
"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 which was involved in the scrum by feeding the ball into it and the name ""stand-off half"" was given to the one which stood off to the side of the scrum. In Britain, where rugby league originated, this terminology has been retained. 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. In"
"the hands of the scrum-half the scrum has begun. Scrums in rugby union sevens consist only of what would be the ""front row"" in normal rugby union. They consist of three forwards on each side, plus a scrum half to feed in the ball. A rugby league scrum is used to bring the ball back into play in situations where the ball has gone out of play over the touchline or a player has made a mistake, a knock-on or forward pass, except when that mistake has occurred on the last tackle of a set of six tackles. A scrum"
"the ball directly under the legs of their own front row rather than into the tunnel, and the team with the put-in usually retains possession (thereby making the 40/20 rule workable). A rugby union scrum consists of two teams' eight forwards, with each team binding in three rows. The front row is composed of the two ""props"" and the ""hooker"". The two ""second row"" forwards (jersey numbers four and five), commonly referred to as the locks bind together and directly behind the front row with each putting their heads between the props and the hooker. Lastly the back row is"
"more aligned and difficult to distinguish. Along with other key positions - fullback, hooker and scrum half - the five-eighth makes up what is known as a team's spine. One book published in 1996 stated that in senior rugby league, the five-eighth and hooker handled the ball more often than any other position. The Rugby League International Federation's Laws of the Game state that the ""Stand-off half or Five-eighth"" is to be numbered 6. However, traditionally players' jersey numbers have varied, and in the modern Super League, each squad's players are assigned individual numbers regardless of position. Traditionally in rugby"
"Rugby union numbering schemes Modern rugby union numbering schemes normally now have the starting players numbered from 1 to 15, and the replacements numbered 16 onwards. But rugby union players have not always been identified by individual labels, nor have the systems used always been the same. The first use of numbered shirts was the match between New Zealand and Queensland at Brisbane, Queensland in 1897 to allow the spectators to identify the players. In that match New Zealand wore the numbers 1 to 15 starting at fullback, while the hosts wore the numbers 16 to 30. The practice was"
"with a then-world record 139 Test caps, and also captained the Wallabies 59 times. The back row (or loose forwards) consists of three players – two flankers, one on either side of the scrum; and a number eight at the back of the scrum. Number 8 is the only position that does not have a specific name in English and is simply referred to as ""number eight"" or ""eighthman"". They bind between the locks at the back of the scrum, providing extra weight at the push. Number eights interact with the scrum-half at the back of the scrum to control"
"offside player remains offside until either he/she retreats onside or is put onside by a member of their own team. Test match International rugby union matches with full (Test) status are called Test matches. Tight Head The tight head prop is the player who takes the right-hand position on the front row of the ""scrum"". A tight head prop traditionally wears the number 3 shirt. He is named the tight head since in the scrum he will have an opposition player bind to both his left- and right-hand sides, meaning his head is unexposed to the side of the scrum,"
"three-quarter"" were used to describe the outside centre and wing respectively (although the terms are still sometimes used in the Northern Hemisphere) The names used by World Rugby tend to reflect Northern Hemisphere usage although fly-half is still often known as ""outside-half"" or ""stand-off"" in Britain, and ""outhalf"" in Ireland. In New Zealand, the scrum-half is still referred to as the ""half-back"", the fly-half is referred to as the ""first five-eighth"", the inside centre is called the ""second five-eighth"" and the outside centre is simply known as ""centre"". In America and Canada the number 8 is known as ""8-man"". Collective"
"Other common variations in the numbering are the interchange of 6 and 7 (particularly in South Africa and Argentina) or of 11 and 14. Other exceptions include: Rugby union numbering schemes Modern rugby union numbering schemes normally now have the starting players numbered from 1 to 15, and the replacements numbered 16 onwards. But rugby union players have not always been identified by individual labels, nor have the systems used always been the same. The first use of numbered shirts was the match between New Zealand and Queensland at Brisbane, Queensland in 1897 to allow the spectators to identify the"
"Fullback (rugby league) Fullback (or full-back) is one of the positions in a rugby league football team. Typically wearing jersey number 1, the fullback is a member of the team's 'back-line' (№ 1-7). The position's name comes from their duty of standing the furthest back in defence, behind the forwards (8-13), half backs (6 and 7) and the three-quarter backs (2-5). Fullbacks are therefore the last line of defence, having to tackle any opposition players and regather the ball from any kicks that make it through their teammates. It is for this reason that the fullback is also referred to"
"appropriate to the player's position next to the club badge on the left breast. In South Africa, the blindside flanker wears 7 and openside flanker wears 6. Substitutes are usually numbered as follows: See Rugby union positions. In rugby sevens, although World Rugby requires that players wear numbers, it does not dictate a specific scheme tied to the player's position. Accordingly, most teams use permanent squad numbering, although numbering generally starts with the forwards. Traditionally, some clubs (notably Leicester Tigers and Bristol) have used alternative schemes consisting of letters, Bath and Richmond have used a scheme without a number 13."
"formed an outstanding left-right partnership for France. Flanker (rugby union) Flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Each team of 15 players includes two flankers, who play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside or openside flankers, numbers 6 and 7 respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they 'flank' each set of forwards. They compete for the ball – most commonly in rucks and mauls. Flankers also assist in pushing in a scrum, but are expected to detach from the scrum as soon as the ball is out"
"South Sydney Rabbitohs and Warrington), as well as most major representative teams, have adopted the cricket custom of ""club numbers"", in which each player is given a unique number in the order of when he made his first senior appearance for a specific side. These numbers are typically small and embroidered above or below the club crest on a player's shirt. When included in the starting line-up, a player's rugby shirt number usually determines their position. Numbers 1–8 are the 'forwards', and 9–15 the 'backs'. Rugby union even has a position named simply after the shirt normally worn by that"
"and provide clean ball for the backs. They can also pick the ball from the back of the scrum and run with it or flick it to the scrum-half. At line-outs, they can be either another jumper or a lifter. Around the field, they have a similar set of responsibilities as the flankers at the breakdown. Number eights are often strong ball carriers and run off the backs in an attempt to break through or push past the opposition's defensive line. Number eights in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Mervyn Davies (Wales and British and Irish Lions), Morne"
"Flanker (rugby union) Flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Each team of 15 players includes two flankers, who play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside or openside flankers, numbers 6 and 7 respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they 'flank' each set of forwards. They compete for the ball – most commonly in rucks and mauls. Flankers also assist in pushing in a scrum, but are expected to detach from the scrum as soon as the ball is out to get to the play before the"
"being the fullback. There is nothing in the Laws of Rugby Union that determine if or how players should be individually identified by marking their clothing. However, since 1967, player numbering has been standardised by World Rugby for international matches (1–15, with 1 being loosehead prop and 15 being the fullback, and the replacements numbered from 16 onwards). English Premiership sides have also adopted this standard numbering system to better aid the understanding of spectators new to the sport, thus Leicester have had to abandon their traditional letter system, though they have since reinstated them by printing a small letter"
"country's all-time leading Test points scorer. Kennedy Tsimba of Zimbabwe, younger brother of the aforementioned Richard, only played four times for his country, but was one of the world's top fly-halves in the early 21st century, twice being named the player of the year in South Africa's domestic Currie Cup. He was also the first black player to captain the Zimbabwe national team. Thomas Lawton, Snr, an Australian inducted in 2013, was one of the leading fly-halves of the 1920s and early 1930s. The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They receive the ball from the"
"as strong competition for a starting place, from TJ Perenara, Smith was retained as a regular starter into the 2017 season, when he started in all three tests against the touring British and Irish Lions. Smith became the most-capped scrum-half in New Zealand's history in the 2018 season, breaking Justin Marshall's long-standing record on the 17th November, 2018. Despite the ongoing competition for his starting place through TJ Perenara, Smith was chosen to start against Ireland. Smith, during his record-breaking performance, unfortunately failed to perform well, with the All Blacks losing 9-16. Aaron Smith (rugby union) Aaron Luke Smith (born"
"Hooker (rugby league) Hooker is one of the positions in a rugby league football team. Usually wearing jersey number 9, the hooker is one of the team's forwards. During scrums the hooker plays in the front row, and the position's name comes from their role of 'hooking' or 'raking' the ball back with the foot. For this reason the hooker is sometimes referred to as the rake. Hookers have a great deal of contact with the ball, as they usually play the role of acting halfback or dummy half, picking the ball up from the play-the-ball that follows a tackle."
"back it is picked up either by the number 8, or by the scrum-half. Starting with the 2012/2013 rugby season the International Rugby Board has issued trial law amendments, one of which affects the call sequence. The referee will continue to start with ""crouch"" and ""touch"", but will now issue the command ""set"", which replaces ""engage"" as the indication that the packs may push forward. ""Pause"" has been removed in order to speed up the scrum and to minimize resets due to collapsed scrums. The command to ""touch"" was not used before 2007. Instead, the referee called ""crouch and hold"","
"corresponding to their positions, only changing in the case of substitutions and position shifts during the game. In some competitions, such as Super League, players receive a squad number to use all season, no matter what positions they play in. The positions and the numbers are defined by the game's laws as: In practice, the term 'front row forward' is very rarely used, and a team has two props. The scrum half is often known as the half back, especially in Australasia, and the lock forward is usually known as loose forward in England. There are seven backs, numbered 1"
"as well. Rugby 7s is a faster, more wide open game in which players compete 7 versus 7 as opposed to 15 versus 15. The rugby shirt has, in numerous cultures, become a popular fashion item, with many clothing manufacturers producing rugby styles shirts, with the distinctive collar and hooped or squared design, which do not represent an actual club. Rugby shirt A rugby shirt is a shirt worn by players of rugby union or rugby league. It usually has short sleeves, though long sleeves are common as well. Rugby shirts have a buttoned opening at the top, in a"
"Scrum cap The scrum cap is a form of headgear used by rugby players to protect the ears in the scrum, which can otherwise suffer injuries leading to the condition commonly known as cauliflower ears. Although originally designed for forwards they are now worn by players of all positions, even those who don't play in the scrum. A prominent back to wear a scrum cap is Leigh Halfpenny who removes his to kick for goal. A simpler alternative to a cap, or a head-cap and used by many players, is a thin strip of foam or cloth and electrical tape"
"ball from the dummy-half after a play-the-ball. This makes them important decision-makers in attack. A rugby league forward pack consists of six players who tend to be bigger and stronger than backs, and generally rely more on their strength and size to fulfill their roles than play-making skills. The forwards also traditionally formed and contested scrums, however in the modern game it is largely immaterial which players pack down in the scrum. Despite this, forwards are still referred to by the position they would traditionally take in the scrum. The front row of the scrum traditionally included the hooker with"
"Clive Stuart-Smith Clive James Stuart-Smith (born 17 May 1983) is an English rugby union player who plays at scrum-half. Stuart-Smith played club rugby for Gloucester RFC, Leeds Tykes, Worcester Warriors, Exeter Chiefs and Esher RFC in the English leagues as well as representing Welsh region Llanelli Scarlets. Stuart-Smith played age grade rugby for England at under 18, under 19 and under 21 level, as well as representing England Saxons, England's second national rugby union team. In May 2001, Clive Stuart-Smith joined Gloucester RFC on a two-year contract. Whilst at Gloucester he was a replacement in the 2003 Powergen Cup Final"
"they must remain bound to the scrum until the ball is out. Flankers also have to defend at the back of the scrum if the opposition wins the ball and the opposing number 8 decides to pick and go (i.e. pick up the ball from the back of the scrum and drive forward with it). New Zealand openside flanker Richie McCaw, who was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year a record eight times from 2002–2012, described three key roles for the flanker: The two flankers do not usually bind to the scrum in a fixed position. Instead, the"
"Joe Simpson (rugby union, born 1988) Joe Simpson (born 5 July 1988) is a rugby union player who plays scrum half for Wasps, the England national rugby union team and represents Team GB by playing rugby sevens. Simpson was born in Australia to a New Zealand mother and English father, both rugby enthusiasts. He has one younger brother called Michael. Simpson was educated at St Benedict's School, Ealing, which he represented at both rugby and cricket and where he was honoured as Victor Ludorum for athletics three times, at junior, middle and senior school levels. Outside school he played cricket"