When there is a scrum—the 2 groups positioned on either side of a line, say after an offsides call, the scum back of the side that has the advantage will roll the ball between the two groups of linesmen. The hookers in the center will try to heel, or “hook,” the ball back into their scrum, and it will eventually be ejected from the back of the scrum.
I was talking with a friend who’s son (now in High School! How did that happen??) is a rugby player and the college scouts are looking at him.
My friend tried to explain it to me but it just looks like a mob of really large guys. His son plays “#9” which sounds like that might be the hooker? He said his son gets the ball first and then laterals it back to “#10” who is more like a quarterback? I have no clue - but Dad is excited. They are going on an international tournament (Ireland?) in a month.