Rugby Union
Utility player is a term used mostly in New Zealand. In rugby union, it comes in a form of utility back. It is mostly a back who can cover at least two positions. Notable examples in New Zealand include Daniel Bowden, Luke McAllister and Cory Jane, but Australia also has many utility backs like Adam Ashley-Cooper, Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau.
Despite that, there are forwards who are capable of covering multiple positions. Many players in the back row of the scrum (flankers and number eights) will frequently switch between the two positions. Less often, a player may also be capable of playing lock as well as a back-row position, with a notable modern example being Sébastien Chabal, who has played internationally as both a lock and a back-rower. However, this description never applies to props who can play both ends of the front row (i.e. Numbers 1 & 3).
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Famous quotes containing the word union:
“To emancipate [the slaves] entirely throughout the Union cannot, I conceive, be thought of, consistently with the safety of the country.”
—Frances Trollope (1780–1863)