fullback (rugby league)

{{Short description|Position in rugby league football}}

File:BillyS.jpg, Australia, Queensland and Melbourne Storm former fullback]]

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' (No. 1-7).{{cite book|last=Hickey|first=Julia|title=Understanding Rugby League|year=2006|publisher=Coachwise|location=UK|isbn= 9781905540105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GU3ezfInjVwC}} 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).{{cite news|last=news.bbc.co.uk|title=Positions guide: Full-back|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/rules_and_equipment/4215610.stm|work=Rugby League: Laws & Equipment|date=12 September 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 July 2012}} Fullbacks are therefore the last line of defence,{{cite news|last=Rob|first=Lancaster|title=Final battles|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,12040_7228115,00.html|access-date=16 July 2012|newspaper=Sky Sports|date=6 October 2011}} having to tackle any opposition players and regather the ball from any kicks that make it through their teammates.{{cite web|last=therfl.co.uk|title=Understanding Positions|url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/a_guide_to_the_game/understanding_positions|work=A Guide to the Game|publisher=Rugby Football League|access-date=24 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527205945/http://www.therfl.co.uk/a_guide_to_the_game/understanding_positions|archive-date=27 May 2012|url-status=dead}} It is for this reason that the fullback is also referred to as the sweeper or custodian.{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Sam|title=Rejuvenated Denan Kemp puts hand up for custodian spot|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/rejuvenated-denan-kemp-puts-hand-up-for-custodian-spot/2375258.aspx|access-date=11 July 2012|newspaper=Illawarra Mercury|date=30 Nov 2011}}
- {{cite news|last=halifaxcourier.co.uk|title=Fax is Miles better for me: Greenwood|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/rugby-league-fax-is-miles-better-for-me-greenwood-1-1916299|access-date=11 July 2012|newspaper=Halifax Courier|date=15 August 2008}} Being able to secure high bomb kicks is a highly sought quality in fullbacks.{{cite news|last=Chris|first=Garry|title=Safety stats add up to Greg Inglis at Maroons fullback|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/safety-stats-add-up-to-greg-inglis-at-maroons-fullback/story-fndv2twz-1226408324570|access-date=8 January 2014|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|date=26 June 2012}}
- {{cite news|last=Stannard|first=Damien|title=Brisbane Broncos goggle-eyed over high-ball threat|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-goggle-eyed-over-high-ball-threat/story-e6frep5x-1226411548075|access-date=8 January 2014|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|date=29 June 2012}}

Fullback is also one of the most important positions in attack,{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Paul|title=Evolution of the game: Fullback goes past halfback as NRL's most important position|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/evolution-of-the-game-fullback-goes-past-halfback-as-nrls-most-important-position/story-e6frf3ou-1226465268046#.UiaVijZmiSo|access-date=4 September 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 September 2012}} handling the ball nearly every set of six and often running into open space on the field.{{cite news|last=Bryan|first=Andrew|title=Back yourself in Origin Dream Team|url=http://www.nswrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=58252|access-date=11 July 2012|newspaper=nswrl.com.au|date=29 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021164101/http://www.nswrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display|archive-date=21 October 2012|url-status=dead}} Therefore, together with the two half backs and hooker, fullback is one of the four key positions that make up what is referred to as a team's 'spine'.{{cite news|last=Read|first=Brent|title=Coach Tim Sheens yet to crack Wests Tigers' backbone|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/coach-tim-sheens-yet-to-crack-wests-tigers-backbone/story-e6frg7mf-1226268222102|access-date=11 July 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=11 February 2012}} Because the fullback makes the most support runs, players in the fullback role complete more very high-intensity running than any other position.{{cite journal|vauthors=Sirotic AC, Knowles H, Catterick C, Coutts AJ |title=Positional match demands of professional rugby league competition|pmid=21993021|doi=10.1519/JSC.0b013e318212dad6|volume=25|issue=11|pages=3076–87|journal=J Strength Cond Res|year=2011|hdl=10453/18619|s2cid=15025826|hdl-access=free}}

The Rugby League International Federation's Laws of the Game state that the 'fullback' is to be numbered 1.{{cite book|title=The International Laws of the Game and Notes of the Laws|year=2007|publisher=RLIF|pages=9|url=http://rlifmedia.dyndns.org/docs/rugby_laws_book_2007_%20(2).pdf|access-date=2012-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114194715/http://rlifmedia.dyndns.org/docs/rugby_laws_book_2007_%20(2).pdf|archive-date=2012-11-14|url-status=dead}} However, traditionally players' jersey numbers have varied, and in the modern Super League, each squad's players are assigned individual numbers regardless of position.