A good number 9 needs to have strong on-field leadership skills to help manage their teams play and be able to influence the referee without becoming a nuisance.  The scrum half must also be amongst the fittest players on the pitch as they will need to run from ruck to ruck to distribute the ball.  He must have one of the most rounded skill sets on the field able to kick, tackle and pass well on either side with all three of these skill sets being regularly tested throughout a match.  The scrum half is a key leader of the pack and must be the eyes for their forwards during rucks and scrums making decisions for them and distributing them around the field in attack and defence.

 

The scrum half has a variety of roles to play whilst the ball is in the loose.  One of their key roles is the distribution of the ball from the base of the ruck.  After the forwards have secured the ball the scrum half will pick the ball up from the base to either recycle it through their forwards or distribute it out to their backs to run a play.  In defensive rucks the scrum half will usually stand behind the ruck ready to defend against any player who may attempt to run over the top.

 

The scrum half may also opt to kick the ball either to try to gain territory or by utilising the box kick to allow their team to attempt to reclaim the ball after it is punted into the air.  As a final alternative the scrum half may decide to run the ball themselves if they feel a gap has opened up in the opposition defensive line which would allow them to dart through.

 

Both in attack and defence the scrum half must organise their teams forwards, distributing them around the field to either create an opening in attack or to counter any potential opposition moves.  In defence the scrum half will also often act as a kind of sweeper following the ball across the pitch ready to jump on any balls chipped over their teams defensive line or making a last ditch tackle on any opposition players who breakthrough.

 

Whilst the forwards are bound in the scrum the number 9 becomes their eyes and will therefore be the key decision maker.  The scrum half will have to alert their loose forwards to any potential dangers as players attempt to break off the scrum with the ball. They will also let the number 8 know whether there is an opportunity to pick the ball up and make a run down either side of the scrum.

 

In the line-out the scrum half must be ready to catch and knock-downs or grab the ball out of the hands of their forwards after it has been caught.  Once the ball has been won the scrum half must again decide how best to distribute the ball, this may involve kicking, passing or calling on their forwards to carry it forward.

 

Every rugby fan has his own idea of what greatness is and more often than not the list will feature an inordinate number of his contemporaries because those are the players he knows best; I make no apology for doing likewise.  So without further adieu, here is one man’s opinion of who occupies Rugby Union's Mount Olympus.  Here are my top 5 Scrum Halfs in the history of the sport.  Let the arguing begin.