Rugby League Positions Explained – Rugby League Rookie

Who’s Who and What They Do

Alright, you’ve got the basics of rugby league down. Now you’re probably wondering… Who are all these guys on the field? And why are some of them built like tanks, and others like track stars?

You’ve probably noticed by now that the players don’t wear their names on their back. Just numbers. In rugby league, that’s not a mistake.

It’s the design. This game was built on teamwork, not individual glory.

In the NRL, your number is your position. And your position? That tells us everything: where you line up, what your job is, and when you’re expected to show up in the clutch.

So if you want to understand the game, start with the numbers.

Let’s decode them.

The Basics: 13 Players, Two Main Groups

Rugby League players are split into two broad categories:

Forwards: The heavy hitters. Built for bruising runs, tackles, and winning the physical battle.
Backs: The play-makers. Fast, agile, the ones who turn half-chances into highlight reels.

Think of forwards like linemen and linebackers, and backs like wide receivers, running backs, and QBs.

Some positions have multiples on the field, like the first one we’re going to look at, the Prop.

Forwards

1. Prop (#8 & #10)

Role:

Smash through the defense on offense.
Set the physical tone on defense.
Short bursts of power – lots of contact, few frills.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Power running back (like Derrick Henry, but even more crash-focused).
Defense: Defensive tackle (think Aaron Donald – heavy, disruptive, relentless).

Famous Props:

Glenn Lazarus (“The Brick with Eyes”) – literally won a championship at every club he played for.
James Graham – tough as nails Englishman known for insane work rates.

2. Hooker (#9)

Role:

The quarterback of the forwards.
Distributes the ball from the play-the-ball.
Tackles… A LOT. Some hookers rack up 50+ tackles a game.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Center (snaps and calls protections).
Defense: Middle linebacker (leader, communicator, engine).

Famous Hookers:

Cameron Smith – the GOAT of hookers. Calm, calculating, unstoppable.
Damien Cook – blazing fast, great attacking threat.

3. Second-Row Forwards (#11 & #12)

Role:

Edge hitters: strong enough to crash inside, quick enough to slide outside.
Attack weak defenders.
Defend wide against quick backs.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Tight end (hybrid blocker/receiver).
Defense: Outside linebacker (cover and crash).

Famous Second-Rows:

Gorden Tallis – “The Raging Bull” known for brutal runs.
Viliame Kikau – explosive and flashy attacking weapon.

4. Lock Forward (#13)

Role:

Versatile forward: runs, tackles, passes.
Often links the forwards and backs.
Think of them as the “utility knife” on the field.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Fullback (old-school, versatile threat).
Defense: Hybrid LB/Safety (like Isaiah Simmons).

Famous Locks:

Bradley Clyde – the prototype of the modern lock.
Isaah Yeo – current Panthers leader, incredibly smart and steady.

Backs

5. Halfback (#7)

Role:

The quarterback.
Calls the plays, directs traffic, kicks on 5th tackle.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Quarterback, no question.
Defense: N/A – this is the offense’s pure general.

Famous Halfbacks:

Andrew Johns – one of the greatest minds in rugby league history.
Nathan Cleary – current superstar, ice in his veins.

6. Five-Eighth (#6)

Role:

The other playmaker.
More flair, less structure than the halfback.
Sets up plays, runs angles, creates chaos.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Play-action-heavy QB or shifty slot WR (creative playmaker).
Defense: N/A

Famous Five-Eighths:

Wally Lewis – the “King” of rugby league in Australia.
Cameron Munster – cheeky, tough, game-breaking ability.

7. Centers (#3 & #4)

Role:

Tough runners.
Guard the edges on defense.
Deliver lethal passes to wingers or smash opponents themselves.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Physical wide receiver (like a Deebo Samuel).
Defense: Cornerback (big, physical style).

Famous Centers:

Mal Meninga—towering, punishing center from the ’80s and ’90s.
Latrell Mitchell – modern-day powerhouse.

8. Wingers (#2 & #5)

Role:

Finishers.
Speed demons.
Score tries by outrunning or out-muscling defenders on the sideline.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Fast outside wide receiver.
Defense: Return specialist (pure speed, open-field danger).

Famous Wingers:

Ken Irvine – record try scorer.
Brian To’o – current NRL fan favorite, incredible post-contact meters.

9. Fullback (#1)

Role:

Last line of defense.
Huge part of the attack – chiming in from the back.
Must read plays like a safety but strike like a running back.

NFL Equivalent:

Offense: Dual-threat RB (catch and run).
Defense: Free safety (ball-hawk, saves touchdowns).

Famous Fullbacks:

Billy Slater – the template for modern fullbacks.
James Tedesco – current Kangaroos captain and tackle-breaking machine.

Quick Recap Table

NRL Position	NFL Offensive Equiv.	NFL Defensive Equiv.
Prop	Power Running Back	Defensive Tackle
Hooker	Center	Middle Linebacker
Second-Row	Tight End	Outside Linebacker
Lock	FB / Special Teams	Strong Safety
Halfback	Quarterback	Free Safety
Five-Eighth	Slot Receiver	Gadget Receiver
Center	Physical Receiver	Edge Defender
Winger	Speedy Receiver	Kick Return
Fullback	Dual-Threat RB	Free Safety