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Please feel free to suggest additions or changes. Like, what is and why do you ruck and roll...or maul. Or which positions will mostly likely chip kick it forward, dash ahead, and land on it for a try.
Team: 15 players a side. Eight ogre-like forwards, also known as the pack, and seven sprightly backs.
Aim: Score more points than your opponents. To do this you can:
1. Score a try (5 pts) by pressing the ball firmly downward (the more spectacular the dive down, the better) on the ground over the opposition's try-line at the end of the pitch.
2. Kick the ball above the bar between the H-shaped goal posts. There are three types of kicks:
a. The penalty kick (3 pts) is awarded after a foul.
b. The drop kick (3 pts), where the ball has to hit the ground before you kick it.
c. The conversion (2 pts) is a bonus kick awarded after a try is scored. The kick is taken at any point on the field of play in line with the point that the ball was grounded for the try, and parallel to the touch-lines (side-lines).
Tactics: The forwards -- big bruisers who run after the ball wherever it goes -- carry out the trench warfare. Their job is to get the ball, clobber the other side, and give it to their backs. The backs pass it (laterally or backwards) quickly along their diagonal line, while running at full tilt, in the hope of scoring a drop kick or a try. The other side tries to stop them by wrestling them to the ground and grabbing the ball for themselves.
Scrum: When a minor foul is committed, the referee calls for a scrum. That is the bit where the forwards put their arms around each other, stick their heads between each other's legs, and push against the opposing team's pack. It is a trial of brute strength. The team that didn't commit the foul gets to toss the ball into the scrum.
Line-out: The equivalent of a throw-in in football (soccer). It is where the tallest forwards compete with each other to jump to get the ball.
-1-2--3
----4--5
--6--8--7
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11---15----14
The stockiest members of the team, whose heads typically join their shoulders seemingly without a neck. They support the hooker to get the ball in scrums, and lift the jumpers in a line-out. Best of Best (BOB): Carl Hayman (NZ)
Usually short, but powerful, he wins the ball when it is fed into the scrum by hooking it back with his foot -- hence the name. Because of the pressure put on the body by the scrum, it is considered to be one of the most dangerous positions in the game. He also throws the ball into the line-out. BOB: Jerry Flannery (N. Ireland)
These tall, powerful men are the engines of the scrum. They are lifted high above the line-outs to pull balls from the air. Due to their height, weight and increased athleticism, locks now increasingly perform a vital role in loose play. BOB: Victor Matfield (SA)
Primarily concerned with hunting down the ball in loose play, they are key players in winning possession from the opponents. You know a flanker by how he makes you wince when he tackles. BOB: Richie McCaw (NZ)
He packs down at the rear of the scrum, controlling the movement of the ball to the scrum-half with his feet. He can also elect to pick and run with the ball, like a back. BOB: Lawrence Dallaglio (Eng)
Usually the smallest player on the pitch with the best handling skills. He puts the ball into the scrum and collects it afterwards. He is the link between defense and attack. BOB: George Gregan (AU)
Essentially the playmaker. He makes the tactical decisions during a game -- whether to kick for space or tactical advantage, move the ball to his backs, return the ball to his forwards to drive on, or run with the ball himself. He has to have great kicking and handling skills and be fast, deceptive and a leader. He must cope under pressure and mix it all with a touch of genius. No team can win a World Cup without a great Fly-half. BOB: Daniel Carter (NZ)
Almost always the quickest members of the team, their job is to get the ball, run around opponents to avoid tackles, and score tries. BOB: Joe Rokocoko (NZ)
Their main purpose is to get the ball to the wing. The inside man is usually the battering ram, trying to break through opposition lines. The outside centre, usually smaller and faster, exploits those holes to move the ball down the field before passing it on. BOB: Brian O'Driscoll (Ire)
The last line of defense against running attacks, so he needs to be a good tackler and take tactical kicks. Must be rock solid under the high ball, and unconcerned about the prospect of being gang-tackled the moment he takes the catch. BOB: Mils Muliaina (NZ)
Straits Times, October 2007