Five-eighth

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.