The number 10 shirt

This seems to be the only position that seems to have multiple names- out half, fly half, dummy half, stand off (there may well be more that I can’t think of off hand).

Is there a correct one or what are the origins of each?

Also, why does a footballing inside centre often be referred to as a 2nd 5/8th?

There are multiple names for other positions:

9- scrum half, half back, scrummy
flanker- wing forward, loose forward, back row, "chopper", "fetcher"

9 is the scrum half- half back refers to the 9&10 combination and scummy is simply slang for scum half

flanker- fair point regarding ‘wing forward’ and and ‘loose forward’- ‘back row’ refers to 6,7,8

InBODWeTrust wrote:9 is the scrum half- half back refers to the 9&10 combination and scummy is simply slang for scum half

flanker- fair point regarding ‘wing forward’ and and ‘loose forward’- ‘back row’ refers to 6,7,8

In the SH if they say Halfback they generally mean 9 though

As for the question, there's some info here:

http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/positions.html

InBODWeTrust wrote:

Also, why does a footballing inside centre often be referred to as a 2nd 5/8th?

Thats what we call it in NZ. In short, its better than calling it 'elevnth sixteenths'.

The position between 5/8 and 3/4 (or 6/8) cant be '5 and a half eigths' so mathematically it must go to the next common demoninator- 11/16ths.

That made this numbering system ridiculous so '2nd' 5/8ths was used- probably by a more astute rugby mind who saw the light.

Whoever gave us this naming convention should have been shot before reaching our shores, cos no kiwi would have come up with that.

it’s a quirky old game at times!

Taylorman wrote:

InBODWeTrust wrote:

Also, why does a footballing inside centre often be referred to as a 2nd 5/8th?

Thats what we call it in NZ. In short, its better than calling it 'elevnth sixteenths'.

The position between 5/8 and 3/4 (or 6/8) cant be '5 and a half eigths' so mathematically it must go to the next common demoninator- 11/16ths.

That made this numbering system ridiculous so '2nd' 5/8ths was used- probably by a more astute rugby mind who saw the light.

So astute that they coundnt work out that inside or first centre is a far less complicated name.

InBODWeTrust wrote:9 is the scrum half- half back refers to the 9&10 combination and scummy is simply slang for scum half

flanker- fair point regarding ‘wing forward’ and and ‘loose forward’- ‘back row’ refers to 6,7,8

I thought scummy was a Man U supporter

Second row and lock two names same position, i think in new zealand they call lock forwards 'fifth, eleventh, nines' followed by a pause then ' Sum Chups for the kuds please bru'

strange bunch