Watching any new sport can often be a daunting prospect and ongoing learning experience, given how seasoned fans and pundits use technical terms interchangeably with slang and common phrase. So what are some rugby slang, phrases, and terms that you should be familiar with?
Rugby slang, phrases, and terms can be broken up into three subcategories. These subcategories include:
- Positional and team role slang,
- Rugby maneuvers slang and phrases,
- Other rugby terms, slang, and phrases (such as slang for equipment, referee decisions, and miscellaneous rugby terms.)
To help you understand some introductory phrases, we will unpack multiple rugby slang terms and phrases in greater detail below:
Positional And Team Role Slang
Although rugby positions have legislated words for each player number, there are some terms and phrases to describe these positions, as well as specialized roles players can fulfill in a team (regardless of their official position):
Enforcer
Enforcers are expected to lead a team up front, using their physical strength to overwhelm and rattle the opposition. Enforcers are usually sourced from the lock pairing.
Scrummie
Scrummie is sometimes used in place to describe the scrumhalf/half-back position.
Poacher/Pilfer/Jackal
Whether a fan or pundit uses the term poacher, pilfer, or jackal, they all describe a player tasked with turning over the ball from rucks and mauls. Loose forwards are usually tasked with this role.
First Receiver
The first receiver describes a player who receives the ball first once it has been achieved from a ruck or set piece by the team’s scrumhalf.
Dummy Runner
A dummy runner is used to describe a player that pretends to be running into space with the intention of receiving a pass but is actually a decoy and will allow the pass to go to another player.
General
A general is used to describe a player (usually the flyhalf) tasked with making tactical decisions and controlling the game’s tempo.
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Rugby Manoeuvres Slang And Phrases
Because rugby is a dynamic and fast-paced sport, there are numerous maneuvers with various slang, terms, and phrases that new fans should learn:
Handoff/Fend
A handoff or fend is when a player uses their hand to push away an attacking player while they have the ball in their other hand.
Truck And Trailer
Truck and trailer is another term to describe a maul that is progressively going forward.
Box Kick
A box kick is when the scrumhalf chooses to perform a kick into space from the base of the ruck rather than choosing to pass the ball.
Up And Under
An up and under is a high kick intended to be contested in the air by surrounding players.
Grubber
A grubber is a low kick designed to be chased and collected by one’s teammates.
Crash Ball
A crash ball is when a player deliberately carries a ball into contact rather than looking to run into space in the opposition’s defense.
Goose Step
A goose step is a side-step maneuver used by a ball carrier to disorientate and disrupt a defensive player.
Blitz Defense
Sometimes called rush defense, this involves the defensive line rushing forward to meet attacking players rather than standing and waiting for the opposition to reach the defensive line.
Dump Tackle
A dump tackle is a tackle that involves the defensive player lifting and tilting the attacking player in the air where after both players are “dumped” onto the ground.
Spear Tackle
A spear tackle is an illegal dump tackle, whereby the attacking player is tilted to such an extent that they land on their neck or head.
Clothesline
A term adopted from professional wrestling, a clothesline is an illegal high tackle whereby the defensive player makes contact with the attacking player’s neck or head with their arm during a tackle attempt.
Raking
Raking is when players use the studs of their boots to try and retrieve the ball from a ruck or to illegally cause injury to a player on the ground with their studs.
Sonny Bill Pass
Named after the New Zealand rugby player Sonny Bill Williams, this pass involves drawing a defensive player into a tackle and passing the ball behind your back while wrapped in the tackle.
Skip Pass
A skip pass is when a pass is sent over one or more players to a player standing further down the attacking line.
Hospital Pass
A hospital pass is a high pass that leaves the jumping catcher exposed to a dangerous tackle once they receive it.
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Other Rugby Terms, Slang, And Phrases
Finally, the long history of rugby and its worldwide popularity has produced various slang, terms, and phrases for miscellaneous events, objects, and referring decisions that aren’t so easily categorized:
The Sheds
The sheds are a slang term to describe a change room.
The Pill
The pill is a slang term to describe a rugby ball.
Gas
Gas is a slang term to describe a particularly fast player. For example, “Bryan Habana has some serious gas!”
Sin Bin
The sin bin is a slang term to describe a sanctioned player leaving the field upon receiving a yellow or red card.
Blood Bin
The blood bin is a slang term used to describe a mildly injured player leaving the field for treatment to reduce or stop blood flow.
Use It Or Lose It
Use it or lose it is a common rugby phrase that informs players to pass the ball from a maul that has stopped within five seconds, or the ball will be turned over to the opposition.
Meat Pie
A meat pie is an Australian slang rugby term to describe a try.
Handbags
Handbags is a slang rugby term to describe a minor scuffle or fight on the field between the teams.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are many rugby terms, slang, and phrases to learn, the words above are a great entry point for new fans of the sport.
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Image Credits
Collapsed scrum – Michael Claassens, Byron Kelleher – Bath Rugby v Stade toulousain – 12 October 08 – Heineken Cup Paddy-K from Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
